NTR Quest - Odyssey 12 - Find Djir (Patreon)

As soon as Fiona left your side you thought. 'I'm going to go find him. I could help. I could at least see what's wrong.' You moved through the assembled party-goers. There were quite a few Aniyub dressed in breezy clothes, still. They were enjoying the festivities and did not look intimidated or cowed. It was definitely not even close to the sight of Xandria after the Orrans landed. As you passed a greater mix of Gnolls and Aniyub, they turned to stare subtly. You were likely the first of your kind that they had seen. You had no idea where to look, you just had a direction so you stopped to ask one of the Gnoll soldiers.

“Djir? Where is he?”

He lifted his paw and pointed further down, and directed you around a pillar. You looked to make sure Fiona wasn't on to you, then wandered in that direction and turned. The Large Gnoll was standing, leaning on a railing overlooking the river. There was an Aniyub male with long, brown hair and tall perky ears beside him; he wore loose, colorful clothing that was almost see through.  The two looked to be conversing comfortably. After a few seconds he covered his mouth, glanced over and pointed to you with his other hand. Djir straightened up, his maw widening into a more prominent grin.
“Fin?” The Gnoll inquired warmly.

You weren't sure what to say to that except. “The one and only?”

Djir laughed. “Join us.”

You took a breath and stepped towards the two men. The three of you made a loose triangle with the way you were standing. Djir angled himself towards you and the Aniyub leaned back against the railing to just observe.
“As I understand it... You offered some unreasonable deal to Fiona.”

Djir nodded. “Mmn.” He stared down at you curiously.
“Did she say what it was?”

“No. I was coming to ask myself since she wouldn't say.”

“Oh.” Djir nodded and waved someone over. An Aniyub server approached, bowed and presented a bowl of shining fruit. Djir plucked a colorful little item for himself and popped it into his mouth, chomping it and swallowing quickly. He then plucked a duo of cherries on their stem and held them over the boy he was with. Djir's guest smiled, tilted his head back and stuck his tongue out as the gnoll dropped the cherries on his tongue and waited for them to be pulled into the Jackal's mouth. The stems were pulled and the boy covered his mouth as he began to chew. Djir flicked the stem away into the water all while you watched the strange sight.
“Cherry?” Djir asked.

“No, no...” You waved your hands in front of you.
“I'm fine.”

“Of course.” The Gnoll exhaled contentedly and claimed very carefully.
“The offer was for your family to stay in power... For you to continue to hold the cities you have and pending many years of acting in good faith on your end, an opportunity for you to receive administration over the cities you already lost.” The Aniyub cleared his throat.
“While retaining the culture differences that develops here in the time that passes.” Djir added with a short nod.

“What do you want? Sounds like you're giving this away. But if it isn't worth keeping for you then it isn't worth taking and why are we even talking? Just everyone walk away.”

Djir lifted a brow. “That's an interesting assessment, Fin. If we take that assumption for granted, do you think it's ever worth taking and keeping something, even if it is at a loss?”

You felt put on the spot. “Uh... I'm not sure?”

Djir tilted his head to one side and looked at you closely. “Was asking if you thought it could, not if you knew.”

You shook your head and shrugged. “I suppose it could. Seems like that's what you're saying.”

“It isn't. Come. Let's sit.” He whispers to the Aniyub.
“I may be back for you. Don't go anywhere...” The boy smirked and gave a little wave to the both of you as you left to go sit down in a cushioned chair overlooking the calm river nearby. Djir sat and as you took a separate seat across from him he gripped the arm and easily pulled it to his side so that you were closer.
“I like to be close when I'm speaking to someone.” He offered.

“Okay... You- you said it isn't?”

“Not specifically. Because, there's two ways to think about it. A loss colloquially, and a true loss. There's no way a true loss is worth sustaining if there is no benefit. But perhaps there could be some transferable benefit. Something that does not seem worth it could offer me far more, in ways that others simply do not understand.” Djir explained. You felt like you were being primed for something.
“But these cities are actually directly beneficial. I was just making a point.”

“You like to talk, huh?” You let slip out before cringing at your own words.

Djir cackled. “I like to laugh, too. Thank you!” He reached out and rubbed your opposite shoulder.

“So we're back to what you get.”

“A reasonable tribute.” He made it sound casual.

“In the same vein as what you said, a reasonable tribute to you could mean more to the people paying it than it does to you, right?”

“Yes! Yes. That's true, Fin.” Djir leaned forward. He was surprisingly polite for someone that gave off every impression of being a monster in appearance and reputation.
“Are you a fast learner, Fin? I take you to be a fast learner. I like that.”

You smiled bashfully. “I think I'm as fast as Fiona. We both learn fairly quick.”

Subtly, Djir spread out so that his furry legs, clawed feet were stretched out around you space. You shrunk into your own seat in response. He glanced down, noticing it and pulling his thin lips back into a smirk.
“Do you often think of yourself in comparison to her?”

“Not always.”

He spoke in a way to make it sound less like an inquisition and more like he was curious about you. “Tell me... What makes you different from her? You aren't defined by her the same way I wouldn't accuse her of being defined by you.”

You rubbed your eyes. “That's...” You two trained in similar ways. You did the same things. You wore similar clothes. It was almost like you were copies of one another, flipped. But who was the copy of who? You began to feel self-conscious. She was dominating things as of you. You felt like it was you. Then a thought occurred.
“My father I- I favor our father. I love my Mother and Sister but they've distanced themselves from his memory ever since he left.” You frowned.
“Ugh, sorry for getting personal.”

“That's good.” Djir complimented.
“You have your own thoughts and opinions, too. An entire personality that diverts from hers.”
He rested a hand on the back of your seat, a permanent fixture eventually, and leaned in while lowering his voice.

“Never apologize for becoming personal.”

You blushed and leaned back, but that simple drove you to lean back onto his thick forearm. “Okay... Okay, so what is the tribute?”

He cackled subtly. Gold. Grains. Fish. Food and supplies are big. Xandria's port is a very tantalizing thing as well. We have ideas. But... It all kind of fell apart at one impasse.” Djir grimaced.

“Was it the port?”

“No... I casually suggested that I could mentor you. You sister left immediately at that.”

“At that? Well... What do you mean Mentor, and why would I mentor under you?”

“You, your family. You are not suited to rule. I think you are more favorable than their Queens, however... I could groom you into someone that could stand above on your own. I don't think your sister wishes for that. But I'm sorry if that's an assumption.”

“No...” You thought for a moment. Standing apart from her was just about the thing she seemed to least want. She even denied your opinions as of late in favor of her own.
“She thinks she knows what's best for me.”

“Maybe she does, Fin.” Djir said softly.

“What?” You looked up in surprise. You were expecting him to try and pry the two of you apart with his words. That's what it felt like was going to happen. Instead, Djir spoke carefully and diplomatically.
“I don't know the two of you, Fin. I don't know that it isn't best for you. Only you know that.” He motioned towards himself. His dense, fur-covered chest.
“I believe that you are smart. I believe that there is much I could teach you and show you. If she had allowed me to finish, I was going to say that... My mentorship over you was contingent on you agreeing.”

“And if I don't agree?”

“We remove it from the deal.” He shrugged.
“All the other forms of tribute are fine.”

“Fin!” You flinched as your sisters voice cut through the quite.

“Shit...” You muttered.

Djir stood up and helped you up so that you were positioned beside him with his large paw poised on your back. You were not sure if it was purposeful, but the sight incensed Fiona who stomped up to you and glared at him.
“What did I tell you!?”

You shrunk passively in front of her. “You... Told me not to find Djir.” Djir's hand slid up and squeezed your shoulder.
“But... Why?” You questioned more sternly, to her surprise.
“He's just nice. We had a nice chat.”

“Oh... And I'm sure he told you what he's after, then?” Fiona asked smugly.

“He did. He said he wants to 'mentor' me.”

She smiled and look up in disbelief. “He's lying. He wants to control you. He wants to groom you like one of his boys, you IDIOT. You haven't been briefed at all about him like I have.”

That was the last straw you stared back at her harshly and actually caused her to recoil as you shouted. “Who's fault is that!? I wasn't included! I was asked and then ignored when you didn't like the answer. I wasn't even 'informed.' You left me out of everything so that you could handle it yourself but what about ME!? Do you feel like I'm less than you? Is that why you wont let me do anything...” You frowned and took a breath.

“Fin...” She held out her hand. You almost took it instinctively, but felt Djir at your back subtly pulling.

“Come. We'll talk about this when we return.”

You stared at her. “You're going to refuse a good offer because of me? Just because of me?” People were beginning to stare and Fiona was starting to notice their stares, but you did not care.
“You could have told me and given me the choice and I could have refused. He says that he would honor that.”

“He's LYING.” Fiona stated angrily.

“What if he isn't?”

“Well-”

“What if he isn't? I could choose and-”

“And ruin us!?” She screamed back at you. It was her turn to lose control.
“What? You think you can 'choose?' When have you EVER made the right choice for us? Has that ever happened?”

“What? I don't- I don't understand. What are you talking about Fiona?”

She held her head in her hands, a look of regret washing briefly over her before she steadied her breathing and collected herself. She reached forward and took your wrist tightly.
“We're going. That's all it is, Fine. We're going. I am getting you out of this because that is what you NEED me to do for you, apparently.”

That hurt you. “Fiona...” She began pulling you away. Djir released you, however as you were being pulled he leaned down and whispered.

“I will back you staying or leaving. Stay as long as you like... Some time apart may be good for you both.” Djir stopped following and let you go. He leaned back and folded his hands behind his back. He observed you. You were equidistant between the two of them.