Chapter 4

When Des had rounded the windmill to the other side she saw Biance, Emilia and Cassio adjusting their wind gliders, wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts like she instructed and looked ready for the days gliding. Cassio the youngest of the bunch was being helped by Biance to make final adjustments to his glider before they headed out. Sharing the same oval shaped face of Othello, Cassio was arguable the most good looking among Des's group of friends as his muscular firm was in contrast to his fair youthful face. Having eyes of ocean blue and hair of pitch black going past his shoulders which Othello had tried to emulate just recently Michael Cassio was an eye-catcher and though his first name was Michael people just kept calling him by his last name. Biance who was helping Cassio make ready saw Des as she came with a box and bag in hand, Biance's silver eyes narrowed at Des seemingly saying Took you long enough to which Des gave an awkward shrug. Des then looked her up and down, Biance's gray shorts were a way above her knees not covering even her thighs, her shirt similarly was completely sleeveless leaving bare her arms and shoulders.

The diamond headed blond pointed with her chin at Emilia who was humming a melody to herself and hadn't noticed Des, getting the message Des walked up to Emilia and gave her a tap on the shoulder. Emilia turned while still humming to see Des standing before her "Finally, I thought you were a no show and we would have to postpone."said Emilia calmly but Des could see the annoyed expression on her relatively comely face, having tied her brown hair in a ponytail her similarly brown eyes and slightly wide forehead showed an unmistakable expression of impatience. "Sorry I had a bit of a setback at home, I forgot where I placed my cloths and had to look for them throughout the house. Apparently my dad had taken them the night before thinking I had forgotten to place them in the closet. Anyways can you help me put on this wind glider?" Des extended the bag to Emilia. "Ya ya sure just turn around and put down the box.".

Placing the box carefully on the ground Des turned her back and soon felt the attachments of the wind glider grabbing hold of her back, it was a strange feeling like that of some sort of suction as if a fish had its on her back and a strong fish at that. The wind glider itself was small but it could fold and unfold the wings inside it instantaneously, to an outside observer it could look like wings just grew out of non where from a person's back. But Des thought best not to dwell on it since the device had a bit of magic encased in it and when magic was involved mortal reason counted for naught. The glider opened and closed at a persons request through certain gestures or thoughts read through the spine which she could not begin to understand but just said to herself that it is magic and she has to deal with it. Des was no stranger to magic since she uses weapon summoning often during her training but there were certain aspects of magic that still confused her.

Thinking about this as Emilia made the last adjustments Des suddenly remembered that she didn't have a weapon with her at the moment Ehhhh I forgot my sword she thought annoyed at herself Just relax its just an outing with friends you don't need it here this thought how ever wasn't comforting since given her real status many and more would be interested in either killing or capturing her in both Mondstadt and beyond. Though she had never been under any serious threat her father constantly warned her of the possibility as well did her mother so currently she felt rather naked, the cases of her forgetting to bring her sword were few and far between but she thought it best not to make it a habit. Emilia feeling the sudden unease in Desdemona asked "Is everything all right? You look worried all of the sudden." turning her head slightly to look at Emilia she replied "Everything is fine I just forgot something at home is all. But never mind that I have a surprise for all of you when we reach the Cathedral.".

"Oh my, a surprise from you usually gives Othello a heart attack.", "Well then it is a good thing he isn't with us then isn't it?". Emilia chuckled at this "You have got a point there and I am assuming the surprise you have for us is in that box there."said Emilia gesturing to the box on the ground with her head , Des gave her a nod "Well then I guess we are finally getting arrested today since Othello won't be there to talk us out of it." said Emilia with a sigh "And I am about finished with put on your glider."after a few seconds Emilia finished and Des stretchered her limbs a bit then checked the wind gliders function thinking it open which unfolded its wings then thinking it closed which folded back the wings. Satisfied Des looked on to Biance and Cassio then called to them if they had finished "I am just about done here"answered Biance, Des then turned to Emilia and told her to call Iago and Rodrigo who were still chatting on the other side of the mill.

Emilia went to get them her slime figure disappearing around the corner thinking back to what Iago had said she remembered a cylindrical mill didn't have corners. Once Biance finished Cassio's wind glider adjustments Emilia returned with Iago and Rodrigo and then together they all made there way to the cathedral. Along the way Cassio came up to her and asked"Hey Des what was the deal today we all got here before you, I thought you would be the first to arrive since you are never late to your own schemes.", Emilia answered for her"Her dad toke her cloths thinking she forgot to put them in the closet so she had to go look for them in the morning.", "She didn't think to look for them in the closet?", "ahemmm,hmmmm"was all Emilia could say. Des quickly responded "I thought I had lost them so I looked around my room and then throughout the house, I never thought my father put them in the closet so when I asked him and he told me where he put them lets just say I felt a tad silly.". Cassio nodded "So you did forget to look in the closet ahh typical", Des gave him a look that plainly said I will hurt you boy, Cassio merely smiled and Des went about trying to explain things "Cassio you know I come from the country right?" she said inquisitively

"We usually wash and dry our cloths together so naturally we put our cloths together too and it has become a bit of a habit. The concept of having a closet that is soulfully mine is a bit hard to register in my mind.". Cassio looked empathically at her and said "Still"he said "One would expect that you would adjust to life in the city by now, I mean it has already been a year and a half since you came to Mondstadt.". "You can't unlearn things you have done for most of your life in just a year and a half, old habits die hard Cassio."said Biance having overheard the conversation. Biance came up beside Cassio and matched his walking speed along with that Emilia and Desdemona. Des noting that Iago and Rodrigo weren't in step with the rest of the group she asked "Hey where are Iago and Rodrigo?", "They are a few stairs behind us they seem to be talking about something very passionately and clearly didn't want us to hear about since they told me and Cassio to go ahead and that they would catch up with us at the cathedral."answered Biance.

"Do you have any idea what they were talking about?"asked Emilia,"Not in the slightest"said Biance and then Emilia asked the same of Cassio and he too said he didn't know anything only saying "What ever it is they seem to be taking it very seriously.". "Well then let us leave them to their conspiracies and ask about what Des is planning for us today shall we?"proposed Emilia adding further"Now des would you be so kind as to tell us what is in the box?". "Emilia!We haven't reached the cathedral yet."said Desdemona indignantly ,"Oh please everyone here knows you got something up your sleeve and the only thing you are carrying is that box so spill it would you.?". "I am with Emilia on this one it seems pretty obvious that you are planning to use what every is in it."said Cassio, "I think that same"added Biance. "Are we still planning to glide to the city gate from the cathedral?"asked Emilia, "Well we are gliding but not to the city gate.", "To where then?"asked Cassio not at all surprised by the change of plan .

"Maybe to the Favonius HQ."said Biance sarcastically. Desdemona was then being overwhelmed with question like where are we gliding too? Or are we going to get arrested if they did glide to whatever place she had planned etc, finally Desdemona respond"Guys, guys you will know when we get there so please just let go of the questions for now."and to her relief they did but only for a short while since they were all fast approaching the cathedral and could already see bits of the lord Barbatos's wings as they climbed the steps. When they finally reached the top the questions began again"Ok then we are here so what is in the box?"asked Emilia followed by Cassio and Biance. "Just wait would you?" said Desdemona exasperated "Iago and Rodrigo aren't here yet, I need every one to be present so nothing is lost and I won't have to explain it twice." this didn't satisfy the 3 cause they wanted to know right now and she found their eagerness both reassuring and annoying.

But just then a figure appeared in her peripheral vision "I am guessing that you said you had a surprise for the guys at today's glide Des and that said surprise happens to be in that box your holding. And I am guessing again here but I think its safe to say the surprise you planned might get you arrested."the figure said. All of them turned at once to see Othello standing beside them with a grin on his face, Emilia yelped then quickly placed a hand on her chest, Cassio merely recoiled a little before breaking out an awkward smile same as Des and Bianca seemed not at all affected bobbing her head at Othello to say Hey, dressed in fine garment that complemented his tanned skin Othello looked quite pleasant since now finally his long hair was well made and it gave him a noble look.

Recovering from their brief shock they all laughed heartily"I thought you were going to sleep like a corpse today you pompous dandy."said Cassio still grinning,"I planned to sleep till lunch time but the sunlight trickling into my room had other ideas and I never thought I would one day be called a pompous dandy and especially not by you pretty boy."answered Othello, "Times change my guy and you have been edging ever closer to looking like those snobbish aristocrats since you turned 18. Heck in a year or two you might start talking like them too.", "Now there is a nightmare, gods be good I am imaging Othello talking like that right now and it is beyond cursed."said Emilia and turned to Biance to continue"Just think about it with all the m'lady and m'lord, master and mistress, your ladyship, noble one and blah blah blah.". Biance made a show of considering it in a dramatic way looking stern and serious while rubbing her chin "By the winds good sir have you no proper decency, have you no class?No dignity?I say the people of Mondstadt have become nothing but rabble, children who have lost their way and are begging for a firm hand to guide them pffffffff...…..I can't go on its too cringe, yep Othello talking like that is as cursed as it gets."said Biance catching her breath from the attempt to mimic an aristocratic accent a poorly imitated accent at that and as awkward as it felt Des joined the banter.

"Lady Biance if you are going to try and speak like one of noble birth you should at least apply a bit of effort. You have to refine you skill over years of practice like I have to even pass for a minor noble oh oh oh."said Des in a flawless aristocratic accent. "You are good, you are real good honestly at times I forget your family serves one of these noble pricks, hmmmm what was the name of the House your family serves again?Imulk?Imeluck was it?"asked Biance,"The Imunlaukr clan one of the founding clans of Mondstadt."answered Desdemona with thinly veiled irritation. "Yeah them.....I could never pronounce their name right, I keep forgetting your family is literally owned by these people.","THEY DON'T OWN MY FAMILY."raged Desdemona. Surprised everyone recoiled from Desdemona's sudden explosion and while the others backed away Othello instead went closer saying "Wooooh woooooh calm down Des." trying to cool her head, the others looked at Des with confusion and bit of shock they hadn't expected such a reaction.

Biance started to apologize saying "I am sorry, I am sorry I had no idea it was a sensitive topic for you.","How can it not be sensitive when you practically said my family were slaves?"retorted Desdemona much calmer but hints of anger could still be heard in her voice, Honestly it has been a literal thousand years since the aristocracy owned slaves and Barbatos made it absolutely clear that he detested slaver with a passion which is a given since he is the god of freedom.Why the hell can't they let it go? She thought to herself. As she turned this over in her head she appeared like a growling animal to her friends who even now were careful not to speak to give her time to calm down some more. Biance took the chance to get out of Desdemona's range and shuffled herself next to Cassio who asked "What in the blazes was that?", "How am I suppose to know? She just exploded on me."replied Biance. "I will be honest you could have worded that better Biance, for heavens sake her family comes from the country estate of a noble and as much as we see the rural peoples subservience to their local lord as *ahem* you know the rural people themselves don't see it that way."explained Emilia.

"And how was I suppose to know that? Her family came here because the Imunlkar clan came here how else could I describe it?"protested Biance."I am with Emilia on this one there were at least a couple of different ways you could have described it like.... you know..... work?"said Cassio. Biance looked at Cassio as if she had just been betrayed "If it is work her family was here for then it should have been her parents alone who should have come with the Imunlkar to Mondstadt not her entire family. Why should she and her brothers accompany their parents to their work related travels huh? And what does her family even do for the them anyway?"said Biance exasperated.The 3 went on to have a little debate among themselves while Othello approached Desdemona like one would an agitated wolf, finally reaching her Othello put his hand on her shoulder and said "So have you calmed down enough yet?Also you won't bite my hand right?"asked Othello which got a chuck from Des

"Not unless you happen to be a deliciously fat boar."she replied. Othello looked at himself up and down and made a sigh of relief "Well I am not fat."he said and got another chuckle from Des."So, you want to tell me what that was about?"ventured Othello referring to her outburst, "I would rather not.", "Ok then that's fine anyways what in the box?". Hmm he is trying to change the subject no doubt to make me forget the matter,ahmmm fine then I will let him guide me out of this little tantrum of mine thought Des. "Wouldn't you like to know? I can't show it to you until Iago and Rodrigo get here.", "Well then that won't be a problem cause they are right there."said Othello as he pointed to the stairs that lead to the plaza where Iago and Rodrigo's heads poked out as they ascended the final steps.

The 2 seemed engrossed in whatever conversation they were having and didn't take note of their 3 friends arguing on one side and the 2 others who were looking at them. When Othello called out to them they finally stopped whatever they were talking about and looked in his direction. They waved at Des and Othello then started approaching them but gave confused glances at Biance, Cassio and Emilia having some sort of argument. But just before they could join Des and Othello Iago suddenly pulls Rodrigo closer and says something to him which seems to concern Rodrigo as a hint of worry passes his face but just as quickly disappears. When they finally did join the pair Iago looked at Othello for a while and said "My man you finally managed to get your hair right and gods know you needed to hahahahaha. So what brings you here sleeping beauty I thought you said you couldn't come today?".

"I would still be in my bed sleeping soundly if the gods of Celestia hadn't thought to amuse themselves with me and woke me early today. But maybe they wanted me to be here who can say?". "Well then my good man you are in luck cause I brought extra wind gliders with me today."says Rodrigo as he extended a bag similar to the one he gave Des at the wind mill to Othello. "Always prepared aren't you Rod?" said Othello as he toke the bag from his hand. "What can I say I always come prepared.","That you do, but honestly sometimes I wonder how you always have something up your sleeve in almost any situation."said Othello. Rodrigo shrugs replying"I guess I am just a few step ahead of others as you well know."smiling at Othello as if only they alone know what he meant, "Sometimes a few steps back."responds Othello quickly in turn but he said it in a chill formal tone. Rodrigo just looks at him for a moment or two then says"Ya sometimes a few steps back but those are rare and few in between which is more than I can say for some."."Not as rare and few in between as you would like to believe my good man."answered Othello again with that chill formal tone.

"Well then I will get those 3 over here so we can get on with this surprise Des has in store for us."said Iago changing the subject. Both young men look at him and both know what Iago was doing and silently agreed to it, as Iago went to fetch Cassio, Biance and Emilia an odd tension fell between Rodrigo and Othello as they waited with her for Iago to return with the others. It wasn't the first time she saw this happen and she knew Rodrigo and Othello didn't see each other as enemies since they were both good friends long before she joined up with them and their other friends but the last six months have seen these 2 have episodes like this from time to time.Their status in relation to each other had fallen into the frenemy category, but she didn't understand why there was this sudden change, up until six months ago they were fine and dandy.

She nudges Othello and shows him a raised eyebrow when he turns to face her which said Want to tell me what that was about? Othello chuckles and slowly shakes his head from side to side which was to say NO. Oh how the tables quickly turn she thought having just been the one that needed counseling just a few minutes ago. Iago got back with Biance, Cassio and Emilia, "The heck were you guys talking about the definition of work for?"says Iago as he joins Des, Othello and Rodrigo with the others. "Biance lost an argument and the conversations was kind of a downward spiral after that."said Emilia,"I did not."says Biance in protest."Did to"says Cassio in a childish voice. Biance glares at him and Cassio holds his hands up in surrender, "So are we finally going to see this surprise you have for us or not?"asks Cassio.Everyone nods in agreement with him, seeing this Des smiles to herself and holds the box she was carrying in both hands so all of them could see.Then she opens in in dramatic fashion and all her friends peer inside it "Des?"says Othello worried "Where did you get this?"."I have my ways."she answers slyly."Its official we are going to get arrested."said Emilia with a chuckle.