FVN Chapter 309 - 309. Puppets in Harmony
Chapter 309 - 309. Puppets in Harmony
Out of the alley the spiral staircase spilled out into, and onto the main road. Mages wandered all around them. Children ran and laughed, chased by their parents. Adults hurried about on their chores, or chatted with friends. A man and a woman walked arm-in-arm, giggling and transparently flirting. Shopkeepers peddled their wares. After the strange city above, with the nondescript puppets working on endlessly repetitive tasks, this was an extreme change of pace. For all intents and purposes, they stood in an ordinary mage city.
But… why is it underground? And what the hell are those puppets up to? Ike looked around,
"Makes as much sense as anything. Hey, what do you think? That alley is just about the right width for a web," Wisp murmured, leaning to the side to get a better look.
Ike thumped her on the shoulder. "We're laying low, not eating people."
"Who says we can't do both?"
"Me!" Ike replied, exasperated.
"The words of a man who isn't an ambush predator," Wisp muttered.
Ike squinted at her. "Are you an ambush predator?"
She grinned, baring her fangs at him. "When I want to be."
Mag nodded. "It's like they're making a new nest after winter."
"I was thinking the same exact thing," Ike said.
"So that can only mean one thing," Mag continued, as if he hadn't heard Ike.
"Oh?" Ike asked, startled. Had Mag blown the whole mystery open, while he was still lost in his thoughts? Was the boy using his bird brain, for once?
Mag hopped in excitement. "A mate! They're expecting a mate!"
Ike's jaw dropped. He stared at Mag. For a second, the image of Lord Brightbriar building a nest, then sitting in it, chicken-style, all proud, his chest puffed, waiting for a mate to come along, flashed through his head. A second later, he shook his head. "Mag, I don't think…"
"Oh, that's true, that's true. Humans do flirt like that," Wisp agreed, nodding.
He gave Wisp a look. "Sure, because you're the human expert."
"I know a lot about humans. More than you do."
"Like which parts are tastiest?" Ike guessed, before she could finish.
"Like—" Wisp narrowed her eyes at him. "Hey! Don't steal my fun."
Ike laughed. "And you, stop lying to the little bird. You'll confuse him."
"I'm not confused!" Mag insisted, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, yeah. Come on. I'm sure there's something fun to do, somewhere in this city," Ike said, gesturing for both of them to follow. Just because they were staking it out, didn't mean they couldn't enjoy themselves while they were waiting.