25 - The Slingshot (1.15k words)

I shot a glare at the nearby tree, "Seriously, not only are you planning to take a dump with me for the rest of your life, but why bring an entire audience along?"

Muir followed my gaze, "Is it really necessary? She doesn't seem to like it."

Vick tagged together with Curtis, appearing from behind the tree I was staring at, "Keep an eye on anything she comes into contact with," he pointed with his eyes at my slingshot, "I once saw how she used this to flick a thin wire across two trees at ankle height once. Barely a second's work for her, but it could send you tumbling headfirst into your own shit."

"You can just take away her weapons," Muir said.

"If you want to deal with her tantrums, then by all means, go ahead," Vick said. "Remember, the longer she stays in this world, the more she'll adapt and become stronger. Insects, animals, the lay of the land ─ she knows how to turn them all to her advantage. To underestimate her is to invite disaster."

"Afraid?" I teased, brushing Muir's cheek lightly. "Your ability to keep the stone face is becoming unmatched. Hard to read, yet still undeniably handsome."

Muir maintained his composed demeanor, "Please, use the sand pit," he said, "We can leave this type of conversation for when we reach the Beast City."

"So, have you decided to become one of Vick's pet servants instead of mine?" I headed towards the sand pit, my actions flowing as if I had grown accustomed to being constantly watched ─ it was to ensure I never truly forgot the boundaries of my freedom.

Muir's reply was unflinching, the coldness in his voice seeping into a resigned acceptance. "Seeing me as your servant doesn't bother me. It's what most females do anyway─treat their males as their possession only," he continued, "No matter what names you call me, it doesn't change the fact that you are my female."

"Your female, right..." I slipped my pants back on after rinsing myself with a bit of water. We were following the river's side, so there was plenty of it to waste.

Harnessing the power of Muir's spousal mark, my vision sharpened to that of an eagle. I locked my sight onto a bug zipping through the forest. It was a tiny creature, like a speck of dust in the forest background, yet at that moment, it became the center of my world.

With Curtis's power flowing through me, I steadied my slingshot, and with a focused breath, I let the stone fly. My movements mirrored the rapid, deadly precision of a snake's strike, loading and pulling the slingshot─much faster than a human can react.

"This is another reason why I can't mark her with a spousal imprint," Vick exhaled, pressing fingers to his forehead in a mix of frustration and amusement, "Not only is her body resilient enough to sustain the spousal mark for a prolonged time, but she's also capable of enhancing its power with sufficient training. The lack of danger will only encourage her to overtrain. She will push her body to its absolute limits to get stronger, much like what happened yesterday."

"Funny how you're not much for words unless it's to throw shade my way. Makes me want to shut you up for good, Vick," I scoffed, walking away while picking a few small red berries, all while tuning out Curtis's and Muir's pitying looks.

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"Yaya, what's been going on in the sandpit? There is such a thick tension around you all whenever you return," Nivi inquired, coming toward me and casting a backward glance at the trio who maintained their close 'distance'.

"It's nothing that should concern you, Nivi," I replied, keeping my answers short. I was acutely aware that my secrecy was fueling her frustration, but I wasn't looking for another person to start digging into my life.

Her gaze held mine, pleading for a sliver of truth, a connection to bridge the gap between us, "I understand. Just... don't forget you're not alone, Yaya. Whatever darkness you encounter out there, remember there's always light waiting for you back here."

"Thanks," was all I managed, my response even more terse. While well-intentioned, her attempt at empathy ignited a spark of irritation within me. How I wished her soothing platitudes could have the effect on me, like they seem to have on her men.

Nivi's eyes softened further, sensing my reservations. "I know it's hard, Yaya, and I don't mean to pry," she continued, her voice gentle, "But I worry about you, and I think your males feel the same. Not knowing if you're okay... it's difficult for us, too."

My hands itched for an outlet, a distraction from this spiraling conversation. I loaded my slingshot with a berry and aimed. Not at Nivi, but at Sei.

With a swift flick, the berry struck him on the head. "What the-" Sei, who had been watching Nivi, turned in my direction.

"Sei!" Nivi's mouth and eyes formed a perfect 'O' of shock as she darted toward Sei, mistaking the berry's red juice for blood. "Sei, are you alright?! Yaya! You went too far this time!"

"I'm sorry. The wind suddenly shifted unexpectedly, and the berry was blown off course," I said, the lie rolling effortlessly off my tongue.

"The wind? You expect me to believe that?" Sei hissed, narrowing his eyes at me.

I shrugged, glancing at Nivi, "Whether or not you believe me is your choice."

What is that expression, Nivi? Are you afraid I might take away your male? Just focus on yourself and your life. I've offered you help without expecting anything in return, so don't feel obliged to help me when I'm not asking for it. It's not going to be appreciated.

"Don't worry about it. It didn't hurt." Sei smiled warmly, embracing the teary Nivi, "I'm fine."

"You broke our deal, Nivi," I pointed out, pulling the hood of my cloak over my head, "but it's fine. I won't break the part of my deal. I'll still take Bai to the Beast City, and help her settle down."

With that decision made, I moved away from Nivi and the others, guiding Bai forward as we resumed our journey.

Bai, fresh from her trip to the sandpit, was clueless about the tension in the air, or maybe she knew but decided to ignore it.

She was avoided and disliked by everyone around here, making her the perfect place where I could take refuge ─ from the overwhelming intensity of the connections surrounding me.

╔═══ Author's note ════╗

Staying as YY's friend seems difficult, doesn't it? She appears indifferent to how badly she's perceived, even by those closest to her.

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