EG 3 Ch 27 (Patreon)

While everyone else glared, the Sanguafae just enjoyed another sip of her drink and let the tension settle on me for a moment before breaking it.

"There are many powers in the universe, of many sorts. My abilities make me a specific threat to too many. Though my people have finally come to peace with the Federation, I myself did pay a cost." Asteria told me.

I waited, curious if she would say more, unfortunately she didn’t.

Minnie lifted her gaze, meeting the sanguafae's, before giving her a subtle nod. Apparently from one ancient woman to another, they had found mutual respect.

"As you can see, I am just languishing in my exile." The sanguafae put a hand to her forehead and feigned swooning.

"Truly terrible," Minnie said, with a tone so dry that either she didn't care or that was a hint of sarcasm. It was difficult to tell with the goth mommy dragon.

"Yes, well, I am here enjoying myself as best I can under my current situation."

"Is there any information you can give us on the Unity themselves? Right now we're sort of up against a faceless entity." I told her.

The sanguafae hummed to herself at the question. Violet, however, couldn't seem to hold herself silent any longer. "Why did they kill my master and the other divines?"

"Petulance, really," Asteria said with a wave of her hand.

Violet frowned. "There has to be a better reason," she demanded, though it almost sounded like a plea to my ears.

"I wish there was a better way to describe what happened, but so often everything boils down to a number of simple emotions and decisions. The Unity believes they are a new breed of divine. Ones without all of the baggage that former generations carried around and inflicted on others. It's this thought that causes most of the issues that you're going to face with them."

Violet seemed confused. "How did they learn their skills without a master to teach them? Or did one of them do so and then betray them?"

The sanguafae shook her head. "They are divines grown in a lab, as often or infrequently as they desire. I'm sure one of the old divines created them, and some of their conversations allude to such an event. But the reality is, as I am not omniscient, by the time I tracked them through the galaxy to watch some of their interactions, they had already freed themselves from whatever yoke had originally been tied to them. And they severed that tie with a fair deal of bitterness to it all, as you can see given their first order of business was to kill everything like the one that spawned them."

Violet let out a heavy sigh. "I thought it would be more complicated than that." Her tails stilled.

The sanguafae shook her head. "The minds of many are deceptively simple. But don't try and understand those too far beneath you, or you'll find yourself simply bashing your head into a problem with no answers. That won't stop your crusade, though, will it?" She suddenly sounded concerned, as if she might have lost her entertainment.

"I think their reasoning is, while important to understand," I glanced at Violet, "irrelevant in the long term. Regardless of why they're doing something, it doesn't change the fact that they need to be stopped if nothing more than they’re continuing to go after Violet."

"How many of them are there?" Violet lifted her gaze, a small touch of fury smoldering in her eyes.

"Active in this galaxy? Hundreds, but not quite a thousand. Though that could change very quickly." The sanguafae grinned, and I felt a shudder ripple down my spine.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Just that. They certainly aren't alone, and since they are lab-grown, their numbers are simply a few test tubes away." The sanguafae faced us. "Now, we've done the pleasantries, it is now time to move towards dinner."

The sanguafae opened the door to a vast dining room. However, only a small portion of it was set, and a handful of servants moved about the room with the coordination of a ballet troupe as they pulled out enough chairs for all of us and stood behind them, waiting. Asteria sat, and I followed suit, my chair pushed in and a tablecloth laid gently across my lap with a pair of tongs.

"We'll be doing a fine tasting today. A perk of Sage Shores is that many rare and desirable goods, including food, come often, giving me a wonderful excuse to dine extravagantly," Asteria told us with a bright smile.

As soon as we were seated, the servants bustled about, each of us getting a plate capped with a glass dome that they set before us. Their hand hovered over the top for a moment before they took it off with a swirling flourish. I was not sure what all the pomp was about. I doubted the way they removed the lid messed with the taste. But there was a small amount of smoke that had been trapped underneath the lid that escaped with a swirling motion.

It was kind of cool.

“Captain?” Asteria asked, watching me as I stared down at the food.

“Oh.” I jumped a little. “It smells incredible.” I carved off a piece of the flakey pale meat and popped it into my mouth only for it to melt like butter. “And tastes divine.”

Asteria watched me with a slightly cocked head.

"I'm surprised you can get this here. I didn't think they sold this outside of the heart of the Empire," Minnie said.

"I have my ways," Asteria winked. "Best not ask too many questions. After all, questions are bad for my business."

Lily had been surprisingly quiet throughout our exchanges, and I glanced over to find her scowling at the sanguafae, who was completely unaffected.

"Lily," I quietly scolded her, and she sat up sharply. "Stop glaring at our host." I liked the sanguafae a little more after this delicious treat. Even the vegetables that were cooked in this meat’s juices were absolutely fantastic.

"It's fine." The sanguafae grinned. "I can tell how enamored she is with you, just from watching you two on the ship. It's quite cute, and now, knowing what she is, I might say extraordinarily healthy for her species. So don't mind me and my curiosity. And don't worry, I have very little interest in your human, Lily."

Lily paused at the phrasing. "Really?"

"Really. He's quite young for my taste, and while I'm sure he is wonderful, being stuck here on the station seems to be completely contrary to the captain's interests." The sanguafae's eyes sparkled. "But never fear, I will watch your journey thoroughly. And to prove that I am on your side, I have another guest. Or rather, a show might be more accurate," she said with a smile.

I had already picked at the rest of the food. It was good, in a very refined, complex-palate sort of way. Though Violet was clearly in heaven as she took each bite. Judging by her love of that sweet stew, I wasn't surprised she could enjoy a more refined meal.

"I thought you'd enjoy this food, Captain," the sanguafae said.

"It's great." I shrugged.

"Huh." She paused. "As nobility in the Empire, I thought you would recognize Horus de la Fitte. It's quite delicious, though expensive enough to produce that it is strictly reserved for the Imperial Palace and its guests. Though perhaps as a simple baron, you weren't aware of the honor you were receiving."

I got a glance from the others at the table. Clearly they all thought I should know about the food.

"I'd been told before I could have a more discerning taste for food," I said, not meeting anyone's eyes, realizing I had once again managed to slip up.

"Ah." Asteria grinned. "Then I'll be sure to send you out with some of my favorite recipes when you leave. And you'll have to tell me which one you prefer, so I can be a proper host for our next meeting. But I have digressed."

She lifted a hand and snapped her fingers. Several of the servants left, only to come back dragging a woman who shuddered uncontrollably with fear. She looked like she had been through some serious shit. There were stitches along her body and a piece of medical equipment that seemed to be the last thread keeping her alive.

I squinted and then lifted a finger to cover half her face from my view. "Oh, I remember her." Somehow the blood and horror didn’t bother me.

"From your last visit, of course. Unfortunately," Asteria folded her hands in her lap with a remorseful look, "I have failed. Obviously, Sage Shores is a place for deals to take place without any fear of reprisal. And unfortunately, one of my guests managed to send off a message to a friend of a friend that would make its way back to the Unity. Of course, that message was properly encoded so it would not lead directly back to her unless she wished otherwise." Asteria pursed her lips. "But it did contain an image of your ship, with the unsaid offer to negotiate for your whereabouts."

"I see." I leaned back in my chair. "How did you even realize that it happened?"

"All communications around my station are monitored on the off chance anybody makes the mistake of sending off a scandalous message. So if you wish to do any, please wait until you are further from the station."

"I don't think you have much to worry about with us on that account. My list of confidants are quite shallow. I thank you for protecting us from this. But what are you trying to prove?" I asked.

"Merely that I am on your side, and that Sage Shores is indeed a safe haven. Even if the Unity finds my station and sends their armies, they will not find purchase here."

I glanced at Minnie. "I thought you said she wasn't powerful."

The Dragon of the Void took a deep breath. "The main concern from her is still not individual power. She is an ancient sanguafae of some strength, but much of her power is in the fact she can enthrall people with but a glance. And as you have quickly discovered, her eyesight is quite far."

Asteria smiled. "Would you like an example? Tell me what you would really like to eat," she said, staring me dead in the eyes as her own sparkled like the night sky and her pupils blew out.

I blinked. Shifting awkwardly as she continued to stare deep into my eyes. This felt too intimate for our current relationship.

"Odd." The sanguafae tilted her head. "Sleep," she demanded.

And I just continued to stare at her. Something was definitely supposed to be happening, but I felt the same.

She leaned forward, chin in her hands, staring at me like I was a new treasure. "Well, that has just ratcheted up the amount of interest I have in you. I do so look forward to your future exploits…Captain?" She said it like a question.

"I prefer Captain over Baron," I answered.

"Absolutely marvelous. Well, let us enjoy this feast. And I would like to hear a little more of your exploits, about how you got where you are now. A tragic part of my ability is that while I can often follow those I find interesting, I rarely ever get an opportunity to dive into how they became who they are today."

"Well…" I started, with a look toward Minnie to make sure I wasn't doing something abominably stupid. The Dragon of the Void seemed nonplussed by her question. I smiled. That meant the sanguafae didn't have some way to use it. It wasn't like I was giving away my true name or taking some other absurd risk by telling my story.

"Well, if we really want to start from the beginning, then it only makes sense if we start with the day I met Lily." I shot her a warm smile at the memory and reached over to take one of her hands in mine. "You see, that was the day I went to escape my abusive past, my abusive parents the Baron and Baroness Valcrest, by trying to sneak off with an abandoned ship that had been found in the region…"

Asteria gasped and leaned forward, riveted by the story. Even Minnie seemed to be paying some attention. Perhaps she hadn't learned everything about me in the time I was unconscious.

I smiled, enjoying their attention as I began to tell my tale.

***

While the others went off to socialize, Minnie hung back with the other ancient woman.

"You wanted to speak to me?" Minnie asked.

"Ancient to ancient. After all, it's so rare for people like us to have time together." Asteria stated. "Funny, given that time seems to be all that we have."

Minnie stood and waited. Waiting was easy. It cost the ancient dragon next to nothing. Waiting was always a sort of war of attrition she knew that she could win. Though perhaps not so with the sanguafae voyeur, the eyes of the galaxy and, apparently, the fly on the wall. "I can wait all day, all year if need be."

Asteria grinned. "But you can't. You will need to go back to the ship."

Minnie turned slowly. "But you're the one who has the curiosity that needs satiating. If I wait, all of my answers will eventually answer themselves. I once wondered how your war would end, and it only took a few hundred years for that to sort itself out."

The sanguafae hissed dangerously. "Do not bring up those utter failings of my sisters as if they are my own."

"An example is all," Minnie shrugged. "For eventually the Void will reclaim all, and even the answers I sought, and that knowledge, will disappear into the Void as well."

"You sound a bit depressed." The sanguafae drank from her chalice. "They do say never meet your heroes."

"I doubt I'm yours." Minnie narrowed her eyes, wondering what the woman beside her wanted. She'd already poked and prodded the captain's mind for his stories, and while Minnie always had to be cautious that someone wanted something from her, her many years of instincts were telling her that the sanguafae was genuinely interested in the captain. And she was nearly only interested in the captain. Even Lily the helivore had only been a mild interest, one that dissipated quickly partway into the story, as the focal point shifted firmly atop the captain.

The captain was the key to Lily’s stability, Minnie would rather Asteria not poke around too much. It was rare to see the birth of a new species into the galactic order and Minnie would protect Lily both mind and body to allow her the chance to take that first step.

"You know, your captain's a little strange. His mind's a little funny," the sanguafae said. "He's human, right?"

"Mostly," Minnie said.

"Right. There's a bit of divine added into him by the mad doctor aboard the ship." The sanguafae offered.

Minnie lifted a singular eyebrow at her revealing that knowledge.

"The mad doctor, as mad as she is, keeps copious notes and likes to review them before bed," the sanguafae offered.

Minnie knew that according to the rumors, Asteria could see galaxies away, and could see through things and at angles that would otherwise seem impossible from her current vantage. By the way she was flaunting the information she had gathered, Minnie could only assume she was bragging, of a sort.

"Is that so? I'm afraid I will have to tell Melgara to be more careful with her notes." Minne answered.

"Please do. I wouldn't want anyone else seeing her work. Quite an interesting experiment, if I do say so myself. I’m no expert, but it's not as if anyone else has access to a helivore to make genetic modifications. Though some of her future ideas, if they bear fruit, I dare say would be revolutionary. Simply being able to cure baldness in humans would be a commercial enterprise dwarfing many."

Minnie didn't react to her jokes. They both knew Melgara was not simply researching hair loss. Calling Melgara a mad scientist was probably the most accurate thing the blood-drunk woman had said thus far.

She was half surprised the woman hadn’t jumped the captain amid her fascination and tasted his blood. Sanguafae were so prone to fixation.

"Do you have anything else to offer?" Minnie wanted to prod the discussion along. She found herself wanting to rejoin the group.

"No. Nothing so urgent. It really is just idle hands and all. It seems like a shame to have you aboard the station and not have a chat, as we might not be able to talk like this again for years and years after."

Minnie turned deadpan. "And would that be so bad?"

The sanguafae choked on her drink. "Your sense of humor is even drier than my wine."

"Touché." Minnie let herself grin.

The sanguafae cleared her throat. "I am sure you'll indulge me a bit longer. I'm still curious about the captain. Changes to his mind, well, I can't deny that they made me curious. But even more so, the position he has found himself in in the universe. Caring for the likely future of the helivore race I’m certain is why you are spending so much time with the group. But then we have the inclusion of a mad doctor who just so happens to have connections to the vaunted Dragon of the Void. Not to mention a divine Kikai. It's quite interesting. Now we just need to add a single princess, don't you think?"

"No," Minnie said flatly.

"Oh, territorial over your man now, are we?" Asteria teased, and Minnie had no taste for where the discussion was leading.

"I'd rather not see the captain get drained dry by your fangs and curiosity," Minnie said. "And besides, you got off on the wrong foot with Lily."

"Yes, pardon me. I'm not too familiar with the mating habits of helivores to present myself correctly. Well, I suppose I can pass up this opportunity for the next one." She let out a long put upon sigh.

Some might hear her words thinking it was a joke, but Minnie knew that once a being became old enough, such thoughts were easy. While so many moments in life might seem to be a unique existence, something once in a lifetime that must be grabbed immediately, the reality was everything would repeat if given enough time. Time, again, was something that neither of them would ever lack.

"Next time," Minnie agreed, finding herself wanting their group rid of this sanguafae.

She had nothing against the race. In fact, she had long hoped that they would win the independence that they so desperately sought to keep themselves separate from the Federation and their own unique people. And she believed that despite that their uniqueness often involved less than savory actions. It was difficult to be a race that drank blood without having some gory outcomes. That was just a simple matter of their nature.

What was more tragic was that they were being completely stifled under the Federation, though Minnie did admit their new way of life was more tasteful. And it was interesting to watch their adaptation into the service industry, where blood could be used as payment to enjoy richly decorated beaches and hands-on services from what many argued to be the most beautiful women of the galaxy. Though, none of that stopped the ancient ones, like Asteria, from being still very predatory in nature. Minnie had felt it during the entire conversation and she’d clearly carved out this station to enjoy herself, sanctions be damned.

"Still," the sanguafae said, swishing her glass, "I think something is manipulating the probabilities around him."

Those words caused Minnie's impassive mask to crack as she slowly turned her head. "On what grounds? The Oracle has been relegated to less than one percent of its total processing power. Ares has been decommissioned and scrubbed from every known server. While it might reappear one day, I doubt it has a plan with my captain." Minnie offered.

The sanguafae hid a smile behind her face. "The way you said 'my captain' would make a girl's heart flutter. Are you sure I'm the one who should be worried about the Helivore?"

"It's far from the extreme that you're suggesting. Manipulated probabilities are a significant concern, even for beings like us." Minnie felt flustered for the first time in a long time and ignored her teasing.

The massive grin on Asteria's face told Minnie all she needed to know about her attempt to dismiss the sanguafae of her theories.

"It’s part of what makes it all so exciting. I just wonder what manner of things might be poking their heads out, and just how exactly the captain could be involved. Perhaps there's a new AI system out there causing trouble, and it has a crush on the captain like the helivore, or the divine, or the Dragon of the Void." She added the last mention with a small smirk and heavily lidded eyes.

Minnie decided she was done with the sanguafae's antics and turned to leave.

"Do come back later. I appreciate these conversations," Asteria waved her goodbye.

"You'll forgive me if I forget," Minnie said, waving a hand over her shoulder, hoping that Asteria would leave her alone, yet with a terrible certainty that she was going to put herself firmly in the captain's path, and thus Minnie's. If Minnie wanted to keep a close eye on Lily, it seemed she was going to have to suffer Asteria's attention.