Chapter 4
As the last sliver of the sun vanished over the horizon, Carla awoke and stretched. She didn't need to stretch. Her muscles weren't stiff and never would be again, but the stretch reminded her of what it felt like to be human. It helped her prepare mentally to face the night. As an added bonus, she knew Gwen loved watching her stretch. She turned and Gwen did indeed look appreciative, giving her one of those dirty grins that always made Carla chuckle. She turned on her side and sidled up to Gwen, wrapping a leg around her and bringing her in for a kiss. Gwen's hand went to her hair, and Carla stroked Gwen's back as they lost themselves in each other for a few wonderful moments.
Eventually, painfully, Carla broke the kiss.
"We should probably get up," she said.
"I mean we don't have to," said Gwen.
"You just want to lay in bed and make out all night?"
"Just for a few hours. I'm sure we could get more creative from there."
"Mmm tempting, but we're working on something called a necros engine and Anika wants to finish by the end of the week. It sounds important," said Carla.
Gwen pulled a lock of her hair out between them and started playing with it.
"Awww, you work too hard. You spend all your time in the lab with our aunt," she said.
"Hey, I'm just trying to earn my place in the house, and besides if I keep working on magic maybe..." Carla looked away.
"It will come back. Anika said it would."
"Then why hasn't it? It's been a month."
"This kind of thing doesn't work on a timetable," said Gwen.
"I know but... I just don't want to lose everything because I was lazy," said Carla.
"After watching you for a month I don't think being lazy is something you ever need to worry about."
Carla didn't respond to that, but she supposed Gwen was right. The last month had fallen into a predictable pattern. She got up, spent some time with Gwen, usually just talking, but they went for walks in the gardens, too. After spending time with Gwen she went to the lab and worked with Anika. It was scut work mostly, carving runes and assembling skeletons, but it kept her busy and her mind occupied. Carla had focused on the work and hadn't really gotten to know any of the other Mircallas beyond the ones working in the lab. When she had gone out with them for drinks a few times after they finished work for the night, Gwen hadn't come with them. Gwen was always open and chatty with her but she seemed surprisingly shy with other members of the house. Then she met up with Gwen for a fencing lesson. After that they usually returned to their rooms and made love for an hour or two before the sun came up. Carla always thought she had a healthy libido, but her new state put the old her to shame. Carla had to admit it was a comfortable existence, and if you twisted her arm or used mind control on her she'd have to admit she was even happy. But the loss of her magic was a constant thrum of unease in the background. Until it returned, if it returned, she didn't really know who she was, what she was meant to be. She tried to content herself with what she had, and it was enough. For now.
Gwen was still looking at her and Carla could see the hurt in her eyes. Then Gwen looked away.
"I'm sorry," she said, "You're right of course. Your work is important. I just miss you. Which is silly, I know. I have time with you every night and sleep next to you every day. But I just feel... I don't know, I thought things would be different. I don't even know what I want to be different."
Carla touched her face, "You're right."
"I am?"
"I need a night off. I always used to do this. Focus too much on work. The only reason I had a boyfriend before is because he was at the place I worked. I've been neglecting you."
"You're my childe. You can't neglect me. I can only neglect you," said Gwen.
"Don't be ridiculous. We're in this together. Besides, don't argue with me. Do you want me to take the night off or not?"
"I do. I very much do!"
"Alright then. Let me send Anika a note, and we can get something to eat and go... Do you know what you want to do?"
"Maybe we could go out? I haven't been out of the palace very much unless I'm working. Do you like music?"
Carla touched Gwen's cheek, "Honey, I fucking love music."
Gwen broke out in one of her big smiles, "I heard some of the girls talking about a music hall in town. They were really raving about it."
"I think I know the one you mean. And that would be perfect."
...
The cab dropped them off in front of the Dorian and Carla stared up at it. It had been months since she had been here and she hadn't realized how much she missed it. She had spent many nights here after work, listening to the talented musicians who congregated at one of the largest trade cities in the northern kingdoms. She had come here with Sebastian, her sister, neighbors and friends. They had drunk together, laughed together, and enjoyed the music together.
As the war began and the Dragon approached the music hall had never closed down, the people needed the escape from their troubles even more as their troubles grew. Now as she stared up at it she was relieved it was still here. The large, three story building had all the windows lit and laughter and music drifted out into the street. There was no acknowledgement anything had changed. Carla swallowed and hoped she hadn't changed too much to be welcome here.
Next to her Gwen stared up at the Dorian with her, "This place looks amazing. Reminds me of home," she said.
"There are places like this in the dead kingdoms?" Asked Carla.
"There are in the Mircalla counties. We're great patrons of the arts. Have you been here before?"
"A few times," said Carla.
Gwen gave her a glance, catching the tension in her voice.
"It'll be fine," she said, "remember, this is our city now."
And with that Gwen walked up to the door. Carla recognized the doorman and bouncer from before, but if they recognized her they gave no sign. The doorman took one look at them and gave them a polite nod. No fear broke though his professional demeanor. He waved them in without asking them to pay the door fee but Gwen handed him a handful of brass pennies with a smile before they walked in.
The interior was achingly familiar and strangely different. The large round stage in the center of the room proclaimed this a house of music rather than a simple bar. The room was open to all three stories, with two layers of balconies, giving it a sense of space and grandeur. Tables were scattered around the room, and the room was already filling up with groups of patrons, ordering drinks and leaning forward in quiet, intimate conversations. The bar against the back wall was busy as ever, with three bartenders in constant motion. Waitstaff moved from bar to table, bringing the food and drink that kept the house afloat. The hum of conversation, the mixed smell of sweat, smoke and old wood brought back many comfortable nights with friends and family. It felt like the room was even more welcoming than before. More brightly lit, warmer and more comforting. With a chill Carla realized the light and heat hadn't changed. The room was lit just as it was before, but her eyes let her see into the darkest shadows. The heat and stuffiness of all these bodies in one place used to make Carla uncomfortable, but now her cool body welcomed the heat that it lacked on its own.
Gwen was turning in a circle, taking it all in, "This place is wonderful! I love the open design. I hope we build some like this back home. Where do you like to sit?"
Carla paused. The higher the floor, the greater the privacy. Patrons on the first floor were signaling they were open to being approached, whether it be a musician looking for patronage, a music lover offering to buy drinks for a performer, or most often someone hoping to flirt. On the second floor it was expected you would only approach a table if you already were an acquaintance of one of the people sitting at it, and on the third floor it was expected people keep to themselves.
"How about the second floor? You get a clear view of the stage," said Carla.
