The train station bustled with more people than she'd ever seen, and from more magical races than thought possible. Towering, mossy skinned ogres pulled carts of freshly butchered meat and tiny carnivorous pixies darted after them for the scraps. Witch mothers shouted at children carrying broomsticks while horse drawn carts hauled caged adolescent dragons toward the cargo boxes. Solene watched the fire spitting creatures pass by with the same round eyed expression as the gaggle of five year olds.
The incubus train attendant pushed past and slinked away into the throng, instantly swallowed up by the crowd. Magnus grabbed her shoulder and roughly steered her from where she was holding up traffic in the middle of the train doorway as folk behind them began to curse.
"Is it your first time outside?" He hissed sharply in her ear. Bumbling along, skin buzzing from the contact of his hand on her arm, she nodded dumbly.
"Actually, yes. I've never been away from home."
"My luck persists."
Solene ignored the sarcasm in his voice. If he'd get out of his own way, he would have known a new definition of 'luck' by now! Let him make all the snide remarks about her public etiquette he wanted, she still felt the brush of an erection against her hip as he moved toward the stairway leading from the train station to the surface. It was enough to put a sneaky smile on her face.
Even from underground she could hear the dull roar of distant waves. It reminded her of the wind storms howling back home; her pulse quickened.
~~~~
As it turned out, Magnus was well traveled in the midsize city. Guiding her through bustling streets filled with every creature from gnomes to selkies in their humanish forms, his warm touch never left the small of her back. It grounded her in an otherwise strange place and despite not knowing him well at all, a sense of ease spread through Solene with him at her side. As far as she could tell, he was a normal, although oversized, human man. Sending magical feelers out was normally enough to suss out the power and intent of others, but nothing of note crawled up the tendrils of energy in return. Either he was exceptionally skilled at shielding himself from her inquisition or he simply had no magic with which to respond. It mattered little, in the end. She'd find a nice hostel for the evening and be rid of the odd fellow for good.
"Here, just ahead." They were wandering down a side street lined with sweet shops and bakeries of every description. Looking up, she saw an aptly labeled wrought iron sign for Sugar Street.
Black cloak, masked face and towering form, Magnus stood out in stark contrast against the pastel storefronts and the equally wholesome patrons wandering in and out of the cafes. Little old ladies stopped to stare at him, concern written across their wrinkled faces. A tiny sprite mother guided her fiery-skinned children across the cobblestones to avoid the pair, whispering in their ears as they scurried. He ignored it. Let them run. Solene, however, with her pinkish skin and royal purple robes, fit right in. The tips of her long violet curls brushed against his fingers at the small of her back and he longed to weave a hand through the soft mass. It would look so beautiful twined around his dark leather glove. Such a fantasy was never to be, though, a fact he couldn't stop from sending a hollow twang through his chest. The nature of Voidism lent itself to sacrifice and he would endure this too. Resolving to consult the clerics about this newest trial tonight, he steered them toward an especially well hidden cafe. Thick green vines wound across the doorway, blocking the entrance with a rainbow of tiny blooms until a few whispers caused them to rustle and draw apart like lace curtains.
Before Solene's eyes could adjust to the dimness, Magnus was wrenched from her side.
"Hello, little priest! It's been ages!"
"Only a few months, Ingrid." He responded cooly, patting the elderly woman on the head as she clung to his side. Solene couldn't help but grin at the mismatched pair, then wonder how they knew one another. Could Void Priests have a granny?
"I've brought a- uh, a friend with me. She's just arrived in the city and-"
"Oh darling, you simply must rent the room above the place!" Ingrid howled, finally fixing her glassy round gaze on the witch in her cramped cafe. Deep crow's feet spanned her friendly face, and Solene could see how she'd probably once been a beautiful young woman. Foliage extended inside, moss and vines coating every surface and even part of the tiny serving counter against the far wall. A curled green tendril dangled between them, swinging gently despite the lack of a breeze inside. Surely it couldn't be this easy?
"Oh, that's incredibly generous, I couldn't impose..." she began, desperately wanting to do exactly that.
"I absolutely insist! It's been so hard to find a tenant for the place and Maggie's been kind enough to keep an eye out, so this must be fate!"
Solene smirked, feeling the rolling waves of embarrassment coming from him.
"Maggie?"
Ingrid was undeterred or hard of hearing because she didn't pause in her onslaught. "It's very reasonably priced of course and all I ask is that you lend a hand with the plants from time to time!"
In the span of her speaking, a vine unravelled from the low ceiling and draped itself over the old woman's shoulder. Brushing it away, it retracted and Solene lost track of it as it returned to the bundle of foliage above them.
There was no telling how many varieties of plants grew in the place, and judging by the distinct lack of customers she'd have plenty of opportunities to look around for the best specimens. Perhaps Ingrid would spare a few leaves for her potions...
"Done!" Solene grinned brightly and held a hand out to shake on it. For the first time since she arrived, Ingrid was quiet and regarded her with something not unlike suspicion.
