Chapter 39: Back (2/2)

What?

“Errr, did I do something?”

“You are not the cause. I am.”

Oh god, she was going to pull a ‘it’s not you it’s me’.

“You and I… It was not meant to happen. I am trapped here, at peace, but also at an end. My potential is spent. My chances have burnt out. You see the mark on my cheek and you do not care, but the others will. I am tainting your image by existing.”

Viv wanted to tell Varska not to be so dramatic, but she did not want to interrupt the younger woman during what was clearly a very emotional moment. It felt wrong. It felt like denying her her feelings. So she listened, even though she thought that what Varska was doing amounted to emotional self-harm.

“We will continue our lessons. I will see you grow as you were meant to when you were dragged into our world, but nothing more. You will remain pure. I will stay in the shadows. This is for the best.”

Viv did not think that anyone but Varska could see her as ‘pure’.

“Do I not get a say in this?”

“I do not know how things work in your own world, but here it takes only one partner’s decision to break up a couple.”

Viv decided to be the more adult of the two, and not to roll her eyes at the willing misunderstanding.

“You assume that you know what I want.”

“What you want has nothing to do with it. You have been in this world for all of two months, and I have been here for close to twenty. I have attended some of Param’s most exclusive parties, rubbed elbows with the archmages of Helock and the high priests of Mornyr. For all that you have life experience in your world, you are a baby in this one. You do not understand the ramifications of courting a pariah.”

Viv wanted to object but she saw in Varska’s posture something that went beyond a refusal. She had been dismissed. Her opinion would be looked down upon, simply because Varska had decided in her head that Viv was being irresponsible.

And yet, there was a raw pain there that made her think that she had a chance at convincing the headstrong mage.

But… it stung.

It stung being dismissed.

Viv was tired from the trip, and she had the others to take care of, and Varska was her own person, and…

“Fine. Ok. Fine. That’s your decision. I think that… nevermind. Just. I’m going to go. I’ll take tomorrow off and we can resume classes the day after, if you are still willing.”

Varska nodded resolutely. Viv climbed down the stairs and ignored the heart-wrenching sob she heard behind.

That was some bullshit.

Even Marruk felt the change.

“Did something happen?”

“Varska dumped my ass. Keep it to yourself, please.”

“Oh. Uh. Booze?”

“Yeah maybe later. Let’s grab some food then go home for now.”

They retreated to their den. Arthur helped with transferring her blankets to her designated corner, and rolled herself into a small ball, leaving only a pale snoot popping out of her lair. Marruk begged off dinner and went to sleep after making sure nothing was amiss. Viv sat heavily into a corner and grabbed a bottle of sweet wine (three silver talents, a robbery) and poured herself a glass. She missed streaming cheesy dramas. She could do with a distraction right now. Getting drunk was out of the question anyway, she would not become her mom.

If only there was some way to distract herself.

Just then, heavy footsteps sounded outside. An armored fist banged on her door, three times, and a booming voice bellowed.

“This is Inquisitor Denerim. I would like to talk to Witch Bob. Open up, please.”

Fuck you, universe. Go eat a bag of dicks.