"Good meowning Jamie! Did you hear me?" The voice of a slightly monotone woman pierced through Jamie's dreams.
"Ugh," Jamie groaned as he moved his green locks from his face, "What time is it?" His voice was rough and a single tear protruded from his bright yellow eyes as he yawned.
"I donno, but I'm hungryy!"
Jamie looked down at the whining lump of mass sprawled across his chest, "Lucky. Get. Off."
"Nope, too hungie." Lucky's voice trilled, "Maybe if someone kept ramen in the house I could make my own food."
Lucky lifted her head off of Jamie's chest revealing a wave of silver hair and catlike ears to complete the look. Her mismatched eyes of blue and red peeked playfully from behind the comforter.
"Pleeaaaseeee Jamie, I'll do the dishes!" She bargained.
"Say less." Jamie shoved Lucky off of him before jumping out of bed. His grey flannel loungewear fit loosely on his body, occasionally causing him to slide when he walked.
"Thankiee!" Lucky exclaimed, unwrapping her fluffy tail from her waist.
She too wore flannel loungewear but the ones she adorned were a more colorful mix of blue and red. They both left Jamie's modest bedroom and walked down a hallway littered with posters. They displayed different demihuman idols, anime characters and video game mascots. Lucky paused briefly in front of a poster that shared a striking resemblance to her.
"Hey Jamie?" Lucky's absentminded tone jingled down the hallway.
Jamie turned on the electric stove in his spacious kitchen, "Yeah, What is it?"
Lucky fidgeted with the poster in front of her, tracing her finger on the character's cat-like ears, "You still mad at me?"
"I don't know what you're referring to, but probably yes." Jamie chuckled to himself.
"I'm being serious, ya know?!" Lucky whined.
Jamie cracked some eggs over a pan he had placed on the stove. "Okay, okay. What's on your mind?" He flipped his kirbo hand towel over his shoulder.
"Well I mean you went off on me about taking Alma's form so much I had to change, then you got mad at me for talking to the Vanguard agents when they came here, then you threatened to kick me out when I made you breakfas-"
"Okay, first of all," Jamie cut Lucky off and let out a deep sigh, "You can't just go around pretending to be someone you're not, especially someone as perfect as my loveable, adorable, beautiful Alma!"
"She's not real..." Lucky whispered under her breath.
"Second, The Vanguard are some mysterious goons not even us higher ranking adventurer's know much about. All we know is that when they show up crazy shit starts happening, people die or wind up missing. And let's face it, no one can do anything about them or get any meaningful information on their whereabouts." Jamie finished scrambling the eggs and dishing them onto a matching set of plates with cute little chibi characters on them.
"Scho? I don't weally schee thuh big deal." A popsicle stick popped out from Lucky's mouth causing her words to be muffled.
"Huh? Gimmie that!" Jamie yoinked the popsicle stick from Lucky's mouth. Revealing a frozen squid on a stick that Jamie had prepared days before. "Bad! Do I need to bring the spray bottle out of retirement?!" Jamie pointed at a cupboard above the fridge.
Lucky jumped, "NOOOOO!!!" She bolted off to the connected livingroom, throwing herself onto the futon. Then she hurriedly threw a flannel blanket over her body.
Frustrated, Jamie tossed both of their plates and a bottle of ketchup on the kitchen table, "And finally, for the last time I got upset with you because when you 'made breakfast,' you blew up the toaster and ruined my countertops. That was a 900 credit bill I wasn't expecting."
Lucky's head shot up from behind the cushion of the couch. "And I told you that I will pay you back!" Moping over to the kitchen table, Lucky plopped herself in the chair across from Jamie and shook the bottle of ketchup.
Jamie snorted, pointing his fork at Lucky. "Whatever you say freeloader."
Lucky stuck out her tongue and pulled down her lower eyelid. She then squirted ketchup in the shape of a crescent moon on the pile of eggs. "Now it's purrfect!" Lucky shoveled a lump of egg proudly into her face.
"Ya know, if Alma was anything like you I'd have to dispose of her merch." Jamie groaned.
"That's pawshit" Lucky spat.
Jamie shook his head and drew out letters in the air with his left hand. "B U L L S H I T, Bullshit." He corrected her.
Lucky lowered her face into her plate, "Bullshit, that's bullshit."
The two exchanged jabs a bit more before settling in and finishing their food. After some excited conversation about watching a popular streamer later, Lucky got up and collected the dishes and went to the sink. Jamie stood on her right by the drying rack with his Kirbo towel.
As she finished her first dish he reached out to grab it, "Well don't keep me waiting."
Lucky raised an eyebrow, "But I said I'd do the dishes."
"Yeah, yeah. Hurry, hurry." Jamie moved his hand closer.
With a shrug Lucky handed off the first dish and continued to wash the dishes, "So... Are you sure it's okay for me to go out there?"
Jamie chuckled, "Oh definitely not. The second you step outside, The Martian will scoop you up and take you away!"
"Hey, that's not funny! That movie was so scary!" Lucky raised her leg and kicked Jamie in the rear.
"Ow! Hahaha I'm sorry it's just so easy to get you going." Jamie wiped a tear from his eye as he finished laughing, "But in all reality you'll fit right in out there. In the city of Aegis all kinds of people come and go. There isn't anything to worry about. Once you get to the base of the hills here it's a straight shot to the city. Wyvernfare is cheap too so you never have to worry about hoofing it for half a day."
Lucky's smile grew from ear to ear, "I would LOVE to ride a Dragon!"
"Wyvern, Lucky, Wyvern. Dragons are nasty creatures, believe me when I say you don't want to encounter one in your lifetime."
"I mean it's the same thing ya know?" Lucky looked out of the kitchen window pondering.
Shaking his head Jamie sighed, "And you're the same as Alma."
"ARE YOU NEVER GONNA LET THAT GO?!" Lucky tried slapping Jamie but he aptly dodged.
"Nope!"
The two chased each other around the living room and up the stairs to the loft then back down again for a few dozen laps before Lucky dropped down onto the couch.
"All right, I'll do it." Her tone seemed different.
"Do what?" Jamie sat down next to her and began petting her head.
"I'll go with you to Aegis today. For sure this time. I want to ride a Wyvern and meet Karyl!" Her voice trembled.
Jamie felt Lucky's grip tighten around his wrist and could tell her breathing had quickened. He waited for a few moments. Maybe I shouldn't have forced the issue. Whoever she is, she's been through a lot and anyone with a pulse can tell she's scared. Jamie inhaled to speak but was swiftly shut down by Lucky pouncing to her feet.
"Let's go pick out my meowtfit!" She exclaimed.
Skipping down the hallway and into Jamie's room Lucky began going through his closet. Not this again. Jamie grudgingly followed Lucky. He watched as she picked clothes out and threw them on his bed.
"This time make sure you put everything back, or else!" Jamie warned.
"Yeah yeah, I'll clean up for sure!"
Lucky smiled when she pulled out a Kirbo shirt and a pair of joggers. Within a moment her body skittered slightly, suddenly she was wearing an exact pair of the clothes she held in her hands. Jamie stood in the door frame unphased. A scowl sprawled across his face. I don't know if I'm losing it or if I have spent too much time with her. This whole shapeshifting thing seems more convenient than abnormal to me now. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard her whine.
"That's still not right!" She looked down at her body and twisted back and forth.
After a quick inspection she reached behind Jamie's dresser and rolled out a full body mirror. A few skitters later and Lucky's face was beaming with delight. She quickly ran over to Jamie and did a 360. I wonder if she remembers that I wore this when we first met... Jamie ran his eyes up and down before giving a nod of approval.
"Hey Jamie, do you know why I want to wear this outfit?" Lucky leaned in.
Jamie blushed slightly, "W-Well, I might have an idea."
"It's because you love this pink little guy and I doubt you would let me get hurt while wearing him." Lucky pranced passed Jamie.
Now turning red, Jamie clutched at his chest, "Yep, that makes sense." His voice shook as the words left his mouth.
Stopping for a moment Lucky quietly responded, "Also this is exactly what you wore the day you took me in."
As quickly as she uttered those words she had run upstairs to the loft to grab some of her things. Jamie quietly closed the door and leaned against its cold wood. Okay whaaaaat?! That was too cute. I can't handle this right now! That annoying freeloader can't just do this, that's what I hate about that obnoxious little brat. One moment she's being a pain in the ass and the next she's like THIS! Jamie took a moment to organize his thoughts and calm down. After regaining his composure he gathered his own clothes and hopped into the shower. She's going to be the death of me isn't she? Jamie pressed his head up against the cold slate and let the water run over his body.
Shortly after finishing, Jamie dressed himself in a set of expensive looking adventurers armour. It was clearly built with mobility in mind and even came complete with a cylinder shaped sheathe. Sticking his hand into his closet he fumbled around for a bit. His face twisted when he noticed the pile of clothes still piled on his bed. His eyes lit up when he felt a cold metal graze his hand. Snagging it from the closet, he produced a sleek obsidian colored rod that was roughly 3' long. It had a fitted handle and some custom engravings that were difficult to make out with the naked eye. One quick examination later he thrust it into his sheathe.
"Alrighty then, it's time."
Jamie walked back out to the living room and signaled Lucky down from the loft.
"You ready?"
Lucky gave a quick nod before slinking behind Jamie placing her hands on his back. Jamie pressed his hand against the door and released an insignificant amount of mana, causing it to slide vertically. This revealed the woodlands around his mountainside home.
"Let's go then." He stated.
"R-right!"
The pair meandered away from Jamie's log home and carefully trekked down the hill. After a handful of minutes, this led them to a well traveled path. Once it was within eyesight Jamie pointed it out to Lucky.
"We then take this the rest of the way. It will lead us to a shrine, once at the shrine we will descend a few flights of stairs and then-"
"DRAGON!" Lucky exclaimed.
Jamie's hands flew in the air, "Wyvern, Lucky. Can't you just do that thing where you put your head against mine again?"
Lucky poked her head over his shoulder, "The mindmeld?"
"Yeah, whatever that thing is that tickles my gate and makes my brain feel fuzzy. I know it gives you insight on things."
"Hmmmm. For some reason your gate rejects me before I can get much out of you." Lucky explained. "I was able to get the gist of the common language structure and some other things though."
"Still, that's some ability you've got there." Jamie admitted.
"Yeah..." Lucky pouted, "If only I could use all of my abilities still."
Jamie nodded, but it didn't take long for the conversation to circle back to watching streams later. Another handful of minutes went by before a few buildings and a shrine came into view. Upon reaching the shrine, Jamie greeted a shorter than average shrine maiden. Her hair was in a french braid that reached her lower back. Its deep blue hue glistened in the morning sun.
Jamie's voice was pleasant as he addressed her, "Hello Henya, nice weather we're having today, huh?"
She nodded politely but kept her eyes on Lucky. "Lovely indeed, Is this the neko you kept talking about everyday on your way to work?"
"Oh, how rude of me. Henya, meet Lucky. Lucky, this is Henya, the most decorated Shrine Maiden here at the Shrine of Calamity."
"I'm only the most decorated of those under Locke's wing." Henya said humbly.
Lucky clung to Jamie, "Shrine of Calamity? That sounds scary!"
Henya tilted her head in confusion, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."
Jamie quickly covered Lucky's mouth, reducing her words to incoherent muffling, "I think she said it's scary how one person can do so much work around here." Jamie played it off.
"Yes, I am alone at the moment," Henya gave Lucky a warm smile, "But I'd urge you to pay a visit when the others are around." Henya's amethyst eyes seemed to look beyond Lucky.
"Uhm, okay." Lucky nodded meekly.
Jamie and Lucky said their goodbyes to Henya and continued down the stairs.
Jamie nudged Lucky, "Remind me to give you a history lesson sometime."
Lucky pouted, "After Ankho's stream though, right?"
"Oh definitely after the stream." Jamie let out a hearty laugh.
A gruff voice broke through their conversation grabbing their attention, "OI JAMIE ARE YA TAKING DELILAH TODAY?!"
The voice came from a husky man with a wild ginger mustache and enormous eyebrows. His overalls covered a black t-shirt that exposed scars all over his body. Jamie grabbed Lucky's hand and pulled her faster closing the gap between them and the man.
"Baldie! You're back!" Jamie's glee caught Lucky off guard, "How is the baby?"
Baldie smiled, "Wanna 'ave a lookie?" Baldie pulled a red phone with a giant "V" on it from his chest pocket.
"Of course! Is Gennivire doing alright? Is she back on her feet?" Jamie asked worriedly.
Baldie gave Jamie a light slap on the back. "Jamie m'boy, the ole lady is built stronger than any Warwyvern. In fact, it took me and all of her brothers to keep her in bed resting." Baldie let out a deep laugh.
"Yeah, that's not going to shock anyone that knows her." Jamie grinned as he watched Baldie swipe through photos on his phone of the pudgy baby.
"Wait a second..." Jamie's eyes darted around the area.
Baldie looked at Jamie, "What is it boy?"
Jamie began walking away towards the nearby barn. "Where is Lucky?"
"Who?" Baldie scratched the back of his head.
"Uh, the neko that was with me." Jamie started to sweat.
"Oh I wouldn't worry about that, she seems to be having a lovely time." Baldie pointed up towards the sky.
Jamie gulped and raised his gaze to the sky. His eyes widened as he spotted a black and gold wyvern in the clear skies above. It was looping and rolling in fantastical patterns.
Taking a step forward Jamie's voice cracked, "Oh wow, she's riding Delilah?!"
Baldie placed his hand on Jamie's shoulder, "I think Delilah has taken a likin' to her. Now she's got four people she's taken a likin' to."
"Four?" Jamie's voice trailed off.
The two of them stood there admiring Delilah's showboating. Occasionally squeals of excitement danced through the sky as Lucky giggled with glee.
Jamie rummaged in his satchel for a moment before producing his own agate coloured phone. It too had a black V on the rear panel. He glanced at the time before holding out his phone to Baldie.
"It looks like we're getting close on time, Baldie. Can you get us squared away?"
"Of course, thank you for checking in." Baldie held out his phone in return.
Jamie hovered his phone over Baldie's, then a quick jingle played from the phone speakers.
Baldie pocketed his device, "You're all set Jamie, may time be on your side."
"And fate on yours." Jamie smiled.
Jamie placed two fingers in his mouth and let out a sharp whistle. Delilah seemed to bob her head before diving back down to a nearby landing spot. Jamie approached Delilah and ran his hand down her neck's ebony scales. She cood and lowered her body. He then swiftly leapt up onto the beast. I still can't believe Delilah is already 188cm tall! I remember when she was just shy of 94cm. Before he could fully settle in, Lucky squeezed Jamie's midsection.
"Let's go, let's gooooo!" her impatience manifested physically as she kicked her feet lightly.
"Alright, gimme sec would ya? Delilah, Can you take us to the northern dropoff in Aegis please?" Jamie ran his hand down the base of Delilah's wing.
With a tiny little gallop of her legs, Delilah burst into the air fanning her wings before soaring south. Blitzing through the sky caused Lucky to droop her ears. The roar of the wind violently oscillated her tail. After a few moments of it flailing she wrapped it around both Jamie and herself.
Jamie stammered, "C-could you-"
"WHAT WAS THAT?! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!" Lucky belted as they went even faster.
The tips of Jamie's ears turned the color of burning coals as he remained silent. Yeah, I'm not saying that shit out loud. He was in fact not going to repeat himself. Lucky's giddy laughter and squealing were lost in the slipstream Delilah left behind them. It seemed like only a moment had passed before they had reached their destination. A beautiful Ivory city sprawled out in seemingly every direction. They were but a blip in the sky. Even further south an ocean sprawled infinitely, its surface smooth as a mirror. To the West an intricate system of roads led to and from the city of Aegis. A rounded structure of behemoth stature loomed in the distance. The East however had more woodland than anything else. And behind them to the North, more woods and mountains were to be found. Delilah slowed herself, and bumped in the air three times. Alright, guess it's time to land. They quickly tucked themselves closer to Delilah's back as she dropped masterfully down towards the dropoff.
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(Uploaded version is the initial draft of the work LxD. The final edited version will be available for purchase in the future and you can check the progress of the book by visiting Lucky's streams twitch.tv/TheLuckyTempest)