CHAPTER 65: A DEAL WITH A DRAGON

The scent of sizzling herbs, roasted root vegetables, and rich, smoky meat fills the inn’s dining room. The wooden table groans beneath the weight of Sera’s stewpot, surrounded by freshly baked bread, pickled garnishes, and little bowls of crunchy fried greens.

Vuvi groans in delight, spoon halfway to her mouth. "Sera... why didn’t we recruit you sooner?"

Sera, blushing and flexing one arm shyly, stirs the pot with a massive ladle. "I always wanted to be a cook, really. But y’know..." She gestures at her muscular frame. "People see the shoulders, they hand you a sword."

"Tragedy," Vuvi mutters, shoving another bite in.

Across the table, Penelo twitches and shivers, both hands trembling around her bowl. "It’s... it’s happening..." she whispers.

"What?" Veena blinks.

Penelo’s eyes roll back slightly. "F-F-Foodgasm..."

She tips backward in her chair, humming in euphoria.

Veena ignores her and quietly slips into the shadows. Moments later, the pot lid creaks open again. She appears beside it with a third bowl, snatching the biggest chunks of meat before teleporting back to her seat, ignoring the betrayed gasps from Penelo as she sits back up.

Sera only laughs. "Eat up. I made enough to drown a centaur."

Outside, under the glow of moonlight, Pip sits on the porch of the inn, arms folded, soft steam puffing from his vents. His golden chassis reflects the starlight as he quietly watches the sky, his thoughts filled with gentle waves of contentment. It had been a good day.

Sera steps out, brushing crumbs from her hands. She catches his eye and smiles.

"The stars out here are brighter than anything I saw growing up," she says, settling beside him on the bench.

Pip whistles softly in agreement.

Sera leans back and stretches. "Thanks again. For everything. For the session... for letting me join your crazy little team." She gives him a sideways glance. "I’ve only seen a little bit of what you do, but Pip... I know you’re going to change the world. For the better. You already are."

Pip beeps softly, modestly.

She stands with a sigh and stretches again. "And Vuvi says you’re getting stronger."

Pip turns to her, beeping proudly as he flexes an arm and strikes a pose.

Sera bellows a laugh. "Might need to get a taste of that new strength soon." she says with a smirk.

But as she turns to go inside, her eyes narrow. In the bushes across the road, something glitters.

"...Pip," she says. "Someone’s watching us!"

Pip turns to look just as a bush sneezes and spontaneously combusts.

And out tumbles a flaming Ka’Lula.

She yelps and starts slapping at the flickers of fire at the hem of her dress, tears in her eyes. "I’m gonna run out of clothes at this rate..."

Before she can bolt off again, she turns, and sees two figures towering over her.

She shrieks.

Pip reaches out a hand, gently patting her soot-stained hair, and sends a gentle wave of warmth across her body. Assurance, patience, empathy. His thoughts feed into her feelings.

She freezes.

Then she melts. Her knees give out and she collapses into Pip’s arms, clinging to him. "P-Please... I don’t know what’s happening to me. Please help me..."

Sera slowly lowers herself beside them, offering gentle support. "That’s what we’re here for, Lula." she smiles.

Unbeknownst to the team, above them, Raenly and Mysa sips steaming tea from golden cups, their legs dangling over the edge of the inn’s roof.

Raenly nibbles a flakey pastry, then pauses mid-bite when he hears Sera’s voice. "Someone’s watching us."

He yelps. "She knows!"

Mysa grabs his collar and yanks him down. "Shut up!"

They peek over the ledge and watch the scene below unfold. Pip comforts the dragonkin girl with serene gentleness and reverent care.

Mysa sighs dreamily. "So gallant. So beautiful. So... perfect."

Raenly narrows his eyes. "If he so much as flexes that pelvic port, I swear—"

Penelo suddenly comes skipping around the corner, blinking at the sight of Ka’Lula in Pip’s arms. "Awww! She’s back!"

She darts forward and scoops the dragonkin girl up into a hug of her own. "You’re so cute! Don’t worry, we will definitely help you!"

Ka’Lula blinks rapidly. "Y-you really think so?"

"Sweetheart, look at him." Penelo gestures to Pip with both hands like he was a priceless art exhibit. "There’s nothing he can’t make better. Trust Pip, "

Vuvi stomps up behind them, rubbing sleep from her eyes, pulling her nightgown tight over her shoulders. "What’s all the noise?" She looks down. "Oh.... I see. Welcome back Ka’Lula."

Veena leans against the porch rail behind her, a fourth bowl of stew in one hand, watching the whole scene unfold in amusement.

Ka’Lula glances between them all. "You’re... you’re sure you’re okay helping someone like me?"

Vuvi tilts her head. "We’d love to help you... But only if you want help."

Ka’Lula hesitates.

Then she turns to Pip, takes his hand in both of hers, and nods. "Yes... I want to do this."

Just as she speaks, her nose twitches.

"Ah... CHOO!"

A fireball shoots from her mouth and ignites the hem of Vuvi’s nightgown.

Vuvi shrieks, hops into the air and starts flailing about.

Pip calmly splashes her with a controlled wave of water magic, snuffing the flames.

Ka’Lula gasps. "W-water magic?!"

Pip gives smug little whistle-beep and raises a hand, twirling a small stream in the air like a ribbon and swirling it around the gushing dragon-kin.

Ka’Lula’s eyes sparkle. "I love water magic!"

She swoons.

Penelo catches her mid-swoon. "Okay, okay, let’s not burn down the barn again."

Vuvi looks at Pip, then back at the girl clinging to Penelo, and sighs.

"Well," she mutters, "guess we’re adding dragon-therapy to the services menu."

Sera, leaning on a railing beside Veena, chuckles at the endearing scene. "Is everyday this... eventful, with you guys?"

Veena slurps the last of her bowel, wipes her mouth with a deep, satisfied sigh and turns to Sera.

"Pretty much." she grins.

Sera nods with a smirk. "Perfect!"