First day's end

Sophie had relectuntaly agreed to wait for the girls to finish in the bathroom, which made sigh in relief knowing I wouldn't have to explain the whirlwind of events that transpired today on my own.

Hearing the bathroom door slowly open I had held my breath, it was nerve-racking waiting the last few minutes, and my thoughts had become quickly sporadic from wondering if they would fight when the they came out of the restroom, or if sophie would actually hear us all out.

The seconds seemed to tick by slower and slower while waiting as if the universe was making it as slow and excruciating as possible just for me.

'Oh, come on already, just get the hell out here so you guys can help defuse this ticking time bomb.' I thought impatiently.

Stepping out first was the strong and small commander, her usual naval blue uniform that had been stained by not only my blood but that of the slave merchant had been replaced by a form fitting night robe that wrapped her body comfortably. The aqua color really seemed to suit her well as it seemed to capture the beauty of her brown eyes and her short blonde hair, you could see from her delighted expression that she was more than pleased with her choice in clothing.

Stretching her back, she let out in a strained voice, "damn, that was just what I needed. Who knew that walking around in others' blood would be so gross?" She laughed quietly at her own joke before noticing mine and sophies confused stares.

Returning our confused look, she walked leisurely over to the small couch and took a seat. "So I'm assuming the white-haired one is the friend you spoke about, and I'm guessing she wants to speak with me and little olivia about today." Gwen asked, not even the slightest hint of worry could be heard in her relaxed tone.

Following behind her was olivia, looking nervous as well as timid she stepped into the living room following gwen's example. She had favored the night robe that had deep black color. It made her hair seem to explode in the difference of their color, the ruby red shined with an ethereal glow when paired with the midnight black robe giving off a sense of regal beauty that would have made even the women of the upper class feel jealous, as she walked out her gaze of different colors glanced around the living room with a confused and reserved yet purposeful look, like she was unsettled to be safe but not entirely comfortable with the situation yet.

"Hope you're ready, little olivia. It seems we get to have an interrogation before dinner." Gwen said with a smirk while looking at the nervous girl with amusement.

"If it's what the kind sir wishes...I don't mind answering any questions..." Olivia whispered out.

"First off, let's correct you on one thing olivia my name is ranika. Can we drop the kind sir nickname...it's kind of off-putting. I'm not even that much older than you.." I said deadpan.

I mean I am way older than everyone here but I don't look my age so I'd prefer to be treated as my looks entail rather than the few millenia behind me. It just didn't feel right to be called by anything that seemed so respectful?

"Oh come now ra-ra, it seems she prefers "kind sir" Can't you leave her be?" Sophie said with light amusement at someone addressing me in such a respectful manner.

Rubbing the back of my neck I just replied quietly, "Look she can come up with a different honorific or something or just use my name it's weird hearing such a young person call me "kind sir" without knowing who I am, regardless don't you want to finish what we started talking about in the kitchen before the food gets cold?"

"I agree with my dear little brother,  I'd prefer not to eat cold food!" Gwen followed up with an eager smile. "Also, where would you like me and olivia to begin before or after I almost cut off your arm?" She added with a nonchalant tone. Obviously not reading the room before speaking.

"..."

"YOU ALMOST DID WHAT?!" Sophie exclaimed the dim light in her eyes suddenly exploding with a burning glow as she stared down gwen before looking at me waiting for an explanation.

"I told you there were some problems.." I said meakly.

'Fucking gwen, couldn't she have said that with a bit more tact or at the very least not as blunt?'I thought bitterly.

"It's my fault ma'am..don't be too hard on ra..ranika." Olivia managed to say while keeping her gaze to the ground. You could still feel the guilt coming from her, like it was a part of her being now, a shroud that seemed to follow her like a shadow. However she wasn't done speaking.

"After saving me from the slave trader.. he went out of his way to make sure I didn't die from a lack of essence, but after regaining my strength, I attacked Miss gwen because she insulted him..." She finished, her breathing came out steady as if she was prepared for punishment just from telling the truth.

'Just what kind of life did she live as a slave to be this expectant of punishment?' I pondered trying to imagine what horrors she must have suffered at the hands of that bastard.

"Ok...so let me get this straight, you saved a slave, in more ways than one. That said slave then proceeded to get in a fight with one of the strongest ascended in the human race, that you took upon yourself to stop, then thought it'd be a great idea to invite them to my home? Am I missing anything ra-ra?" Sophie said while sighing her body language clearly displayed a lack of disbelief as well as disappointment. With her arms crossed and face scrunched into a scowl, she waited for my response.

"Yeah...that about sums up the better part of my day but silver lining! Gwen excuted the piece of shit slave merchant after blatantly trying to ask her to fuck him. Well I wouldn't exactly say asking? I guess it was more akin to someone who was going to force their will upon others. Either way after being confronted he tried to shoot at her and well..now he's dead." I finished a half hearted smile on my face. Although I felt relief that he couldn't hurt others anymore thanks to gwens actions I still felt frustrated that I didn't do anything.

With a heavy sigh sophie just said whatever came to her mind, "well alright, seeing as how none of you seem to by lying I'll let the attack on ra-ra slide. However where do you girls plan on sleeping? If you hadn't noticed I only have two bedrooms."

Looking at each other they couldn't seem to form a response so I stepped in to the conversation, "they can have my bedroom. I don't mind crashing on the couch for the night." I said just wanting to have all the talking stop, I was too hungry and tired for this. Today's events had taken a massive toll on my mental health and my body, I was just ready to sleep.

With hesitant agreement all three women seemed to be ok with that arrangement. Moving to the modest kitchen we all sat down and ate our dinners in silence the weight of exhaustion seemed to be heavy in the air as we finished our food.

About a half hour later the girls each went into their rooms while I laid in the living room. Staring at the ceiling my mind taxed from today's events I let myself finally drift off to sleep. If only I had known what tomorrow would bring.