18 Chapter 18

"Big brother Rathus," one of the children tugged on his shirt, causing him to look down. "Is big sis Trix ok?"

"I'm sure she's fine," Rathus said, forcing a smile. He'd had so much practice over the years, she didn't seem to realize it wasn't genuine. "She's just got some important stuff to do today."

He glanced to Jemma who, posing as Trixie, strode confidently beside him. She was a great actress, good enough to impersonate just about anyone provided she was able to study them long enough, but Rathus knew her well enough to know she was absolutely terrified. He could tell by the scent.

Sighing to himself, he glanced ahead to his brother, Titus, who was still visibly fuming. Part of him wanted to say something, anything, to help him feel better, but as lousy as Rathus felt at that moment he couldn't think of anything to say. The simple fact of the matter was, despite everything, both brothers were head over heels for Trixie who was obviously smitten with someone else.

They arrived at the Honey Pot just in time to catch the tail end of some kind of drama that was playing out at the entrance of the facility. Several other groups were halted there as well, muttering nervously as they waited for admission. Curious, Rathus nudged his way carefully to a spot with better view within earshot of the scene.

"…can't do this! The inspector came and left yesterday!" A wiry old man who Rathus recognized as the headmaster was shouting at some kind of bunny man who was waiting at the door. Rathus was surprised to see the old man, he didn't appear very often. He was also surprised the headmaster had the courage to be indignant with the bunny man. Something about the pressure exerting from his very powerful aura had the orc on edge. Fluffy ears or not, Rathus was certain that bunny had draconic blood flowing through his veins.

"Unprofessional," The man responded with a scoff. "But how could I expect any less? My associate warned me you hadn't bothered to go over all of the paperwork. If you had, you would've realized I was scheduled to be here over two hours ago. Worry not, I didn't put the time to waste. I conducted a thorough inspection of the exterior, and I must say there are a few… concerns."

"I refuse to be treated this way!" the headmaster was beyond red in the face, and Rathus could clearly hear the fear in his voice. "You have no right!"

"On the contrary," the bunny man replied coldly, brandishing some kind of document in the headmaster's face, "I have every right. Now I suggest you allow me in and not further impede my job. If you refuse, I will return with the Regent's militia, for I am here on his orders."

Rathus crept back to his place in line as the voices dropped, the men entered the building, and everyone started filing in. He received a number of questioning glances, but shook his head. He'd relay what he heard later.

As they passed through the doors, he could smell Jemma's anxiety double. Carefully, he placed a hand on the small of her back. The contact seemed to help ease her nerves somewhat, and they managed to get through check in without any incident.

"Just a little longer," He whispered into her ear. "I'm here, it'll be ok."

She simply nodded and worked to maintain her character. If she started acting too timid, or too clingy, people would start realizing something wasn't right. Rathus was beginning to believe the rest of the morning would go smoothly when a strange smell caught his attention.

He felt his stomach drop and his blood boil as he realized he recognized the odor. It was the strong scent he had caught on Trixie that morning, mingled with hers. Against his better judgement, he felt his head turn towards the source, where he met a deadly pair of silver eyes belonging to a gentleman that was inexplicably far more intimidating than the bunny man they'd encountered earlier. With dread chilling his spine, Rathus realized just who the 'rich prick' Trixie had taken as a client was.

They'd said his name numerous times over the morning, but he really hadn't been listening. He must've been subconsciously blocking it out, too upset to acknowledge that his foe was a living, breathing person. It was easier to hate something that had no tangible form, face, or story. He could imagine any evil villain who would never be good enough for Trixie, someone that would have her running back to him at the end of the passionate fling, someone that would make him look all the better. The man he locked eyes with, while terrifying, was no villain, though he wasn't necessarily a friend either. He was Prince Emerick Fugue Xanathanous, bastard son of none other than King Arnwald, the Sky Tyrant.

"What do you think you're doing?" Rathus hissed to Titus. He caught him by the small silver hoop on his right ear as the shorter brother moved to approach the young dragon lord.

"Why you stopping me?" Titus exclaimed, "And that hurts!"

"Not as much as the execution for assaulting the regent's son would," Rathus snapped. The words caught his attention enough that Titus stopped struggling. "Look, I know, I get it, but it's not our business, and he ain't done anything wrong. Let it go."

"Not making any promises," Titus grumbled, though he stopped struggling. Once he was confident Titus would behave, he released him. For a moment, he thought things would end at that, then he realized Emerick was walking directly towards them. It took him a moment to remember Jemma was at his side and impersonating Trixie.

"Shift into someone else," Rathus whispered urgently.

Before she could respond, he carefully shuffled her behind him, tripping Titus at the same time which disrupted the line just long enough to block all view of Jemma and divert Emerick's attention while she transformed. He tried not to laugh when he realized she'd reflexively transformed into Titus, one of her other more frequently used forms. Thankfully, no one seemed to realize that there were suddenly two of his brother. Jemma was pretty talented at minimizing her presence.

"What do you want?" Titus snapped, shoving away the hand Emerick offered to help him up off the ground. Rathus smacked him on the back of the head before pushing him back.

"Sorry about him," He said through his ever present false smile. He could feel Emerick appraising him curiously, but fortunately he didn't seem upset. "He's an idiot. Did you need something?"

"No," Emerick replied, eyes wandering the crowd. Rathus noticed him frown, likely because what he was looking for wasn't any ware to be seen. "Sorry to bother you, I thought I saw someone I knew."

"No trouble," Rathus said, hoping that would be the end of the awkward encounter. It wasn't.

"I may yet prove you wrong," Emerick replied with a lopsided smile. It was irritating how smooth and sultry the gentleman's voice was, almost enchanting in quality. It was no wonder Trixie was head over heels, though Rathus doubted she realized who this man was. She was horrible with names, faces, titles, and their corresponding significance. "Could I ask you a favor?"

"No," Titus replied with a growl, which earned him another smack on the head.

"Sure," Rathus replied. He didn't really want to be any ware near this man who smelled so strongly of Trixie he could've mistaken him for her if they weren't speaking face to face. He wanted him far, far away, but to say as much would only lead to unnecessary trouble.

It was doubtful Emerick was aware of their relation to Trixie, and he was asking politely. Rathus wouldn't be rude out of spite. It wasn't his fault Trixie preferred him to Rathus, or that Rathus was smitten with someone he could never have.

"Could I follow you for the day?" Emerick asked. The smile on Rathus's face twitched a little as the words sank in. He couldn't help but think the universe was playing some kind of cruel prank on him.

"Why?" Titus eyed him suspiciously. Rathus decided to let that one slide, as it was a valid question.

"I'm trying to get an idea of what you guys do on a daily basis," Emerick shrugged. "Where you go, who you work for, how you're treated… you know, inspection stuff."

"We're treated like shit, thanks," Titus snapped. Rathus shook his head, and thumped him again. He just wasn't going to learn today.

"Yeah, I guess that's fine," Rathus shrugged back. Based on the demeanor of the bunny man that was still in a very clearly heated discussion with the headmaster off to the side near the entrance, Rathus had a feeling this inspection might end a little differently from the others they'd had. While he certainly didn't want to spend the day with his rival of sorts, he could put up with that much if the people he loved were allowed even a chance at a better life.

Just as he wondered if the day could get any worse, he caught Emerick doing a double take. Apparently he'd caught sight of the second Titus. Thankfully, catching his look, Jemma quickly ducked out of sight, smacked the back of a random kid, and quickly shifted shape. Emerick looked confused for a moment, then shook his head as though to clear it.

A few moments later, they witnessed the transformed Jemma book it out of the crowd of kids, down the hall past the headmaster and the bunny man, and out the door. The headmaster shouted something after her and moved to follow, but thought better of it after a glance at his visitor. It seemed like the kid Jemma had chosen to impersonate would be lucky enough to avoid punishment for the day.

"Does that happen often?" Emerick watched the proceedings quizzically. Rathus couldn't be sure, but he thought he noticed the bunny man glance towards them from the corner of his eye.

"Sometimes, but not really," Rathus shrugged. "If you get caught leaving, they beat you. Sometimes, on a bad day, a kid'll get beat to death."

Emerick frowned, then glanced to the bunny man, who Rathus was pretty sure responded with a slight nod, as though to convey he'd heard what the orc had said. He silently wondered how keen those fluffy ears were.

"Is that kid going to be ok?" Emerick questioned. The young gentleman looked genuinely concerned, which had Rathus somewhat perplexed. Most of the common people had no sympathy for the half-bloods or their misfortunes, how could such a highly established noble care?

"That kid is hard to catch," Rathus shrugged, then gestured to the head master. "Besides, I doubt they'll remember. They've got other problems right now."

"Indeed they do," Emerick agreed, a smile playing at his lips.