The streets of Darkgloom stretched out in front of them, lined with cracked cobblestones half-buried beneath rotting garbage. The stench of stagnant water hung in the the air, and rats ran boldly between overflowing sewer grates. Rem slowed her pace, as her red eyes narrowed while she swept her head over the dirty streets. "Amaia," Rem said, her voice edged with disapproval, "why didn't you ever point out how trashed this city is? The streets are piled up with garbage, and the sewers are clogged up with trash. At this rate, disease will spread through Darkgloom city long before any monster horde reaches it."
Amaia matched her lady's stride, the red plates of her armor gleaming even in the dim light as she said. "My lady, we only traveled along the Market Street when we first arrived here. It was maintained enough to hide the worst of it this problem. But if you truly intend to take control of this city, we will need to deploy our forces from the Arc. The magical constructs there have nothing to occupy them. Giving them orders to clean, repair, and reinforce the city walls of this city would not only bring it up to your standards, it would give them the chance to serve you directly. I hear their complaints constantly aboard the Arc—that they're left idle while I alone get to serve you. They would be ecstatic if even a few dozen were sent here to help you"
Amaia hesitated, her head dipping slightly. "I'm not certain I should tell you exactly how many are aboard the Arc. A conservative estimate is… well, perhaps I'll hold my tongue on the numbers. I don't want you even more angry with your father."
Rem's expression darkened briefly, but she said nothing. Behind them, Cindy Lou quickened her steps, her tail twitching as her ears caught every word. "Rem," she said cautiously, "what is the Arc?"
Rem didn't break her stride. "It's where I come from. I'm discussing with Amaia how to deploy our forces to clean up this city and repair its defenses. Clearly the local government under the city lord has neglected everything. It's obvious the money meant for the people has been stolen."
At those words, Cindy Lou's thoughts jumped immediately to the city's ruler—a rotund female dwarf plastered in garish makeup, infamous for squeezing shopkeepers for bribes and once even attempting to extort the Adventurers Guild itself. Now, with the betrayal of her deputy guild master still fresh in her mind, Cindy Lou wondered if the guild has not already paid the city lord off, ensuring she turns a blind eye while the Vice Adventurers Guild broke through the guildhall doors to assault her.
Cindy Lou's tail moved nervously. It wouldn't surprise her if the Vice Guild was little more than another face of the same organization, a convenient dumping ground for degenerates—alcoholics, addicts, and abusers while the same leadership stayed in control at the top. For the first time, she considered whether the Guild Master's reforms were ever real at all.
Cindy Lou's gaze drifted forward to Rem's proud figure, her white leather chestplate glowing despite the garbage on the streets. The words Rem spoken earlier returned to her mind. Cindy Lou's cheeks warmed. "Rem," she asked hesitantly, "what you said before… about loving fluffy cat girls and foxes. Was that true? Do you… do you think I'm attractive?"
Rem froze mid-step. Ciara slipped slightly in her arms, letting out a pitiful mew. She caught the little fox quickly, clutching her close, and then turned slowly, her face coloring red as her mouth betrayed her thoughts. "Of course I think you're beautiful. Fluffy, and wonderful, and soft, and silky smooth."
As the words left her lips, Rem's eyes widened in recognition of what she just admitted. As her face flushed red. Ren turned around sharply and walked ahead at twice her earlier pace, ignoring the crumbling streets entirely.
Amaia exhaled through her nose, her voice dry as she turned her gaze toward Cindy Lou. "Try not to fluster my lady too much. She has an obsessive nature when it comes to fluffy, silky things—and you meet every one of her criteria. Athletic, well-proportioned, attractive. She even chose to heal you personally rather than leave it to me, which she almost never does. You should feel honored. The Lady of the House of Remembrance doesn't interfere in the lives of others unless she finds them… fluffy. Which, in her vocabulary, means attractive."
Cindy Lou's face burned red. She dropped her gaze, her ears trembling as she murmured, "Thank you for telling me that."
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