Otter was faced to face with his cruelness. He'd always told himself, if given the chance. He'd apologize and try to make amends for the terrible things he did back then. However, every time he played it in his head it all sounded like pitiful excuses. He knew there was no excuse for the despicable acts he perpetrated. Otter stood there unable to speak, think, or move. He just stared at the now grown girl, whose grandfather's life he ended.
Owl stood beside Otter looking between the two. She was lost as to what was happening. She kept looking at Otter for answers, but he never took his eyes off the rage filled girl.
"Otter? W… What's going on?… Who is she?" Owl asked hesitantly
Otter, still keeping his eyes locked on the girl, said nothing. The silence stretched for what felt like hours. Nobody moved except Owl trying to get the attention of either of them at this point.
Finally the girl spoke "You haven't told her yet?" She gave a bitter laugh before continuing "I'm guessing she's your next victim. It must be easier to lore them that way. You pretend to be a mysterious and cool guy. Then when their backs turned you stab them in it." The hate filled words oozed out of her mouth.
Still, Otter said nothing, he never stopped looking at the girl. His eyes never changed from the shock of realization. His breathing was hollow and raspy. Sweat began to bead on his forehead. He felt every muscle in his body tighten, and his teeth clench so tight he could have crushed a diamond.
Owl on the other hand didn't appreciate the awful things this mystery girl was saying about her friend. "Shut up you dumbass bitch! Otter isn't a bad guy. Sure he's antisocial, blunt, and at times a bit of a weirdo. However, he's also smart, caring, and kind. He never gets mad, even when he has every reason to be. He defended us against a noble who tried to force us to join his party. He…" she couldn't finish before Otter put a hand out stopping her.
"Please stop… Owl" Otter whimpered.
His voice had no strength or energy. It just limped out and was barely audible. When Owl looked at Otter's face, he looked close to tears. He was holding onto so much pain, but Owl didn't have a clue how to help him.
The girl laughed dryly "He's kind? Caring? He defended you? Don't make me laugh. He probably had ulterior motives, hell maybe he did that to earn your trust. That way when he's ready to kill you, you won't have your guard up. Don't act like you know him, or what he's done to me."
Owl shot back "Then tell me what he did! You're right, I can't pretend I know what kind of past you two have. Still, I trust Otter with my life, and I refuse to let anyone bad mouth him while I'm around."
Otter stood there, but as the girl was about to speak he put a hand up. "You remember the old man I murdered, and how his granddaughter was there and saw all of it?" Owl nodded, having already figured out where this was heading. "Well… That's her." He finished
Even though Owl had already figured out the situation before he finished. She still couldn't help but be shocked by the revelation. She stood there stunned. A million words rushed around her head, but none could escape her lips. She felt the reality she knew crumble beneath her.
Otter still transfixed on the girl. Seemed to have finally found a new emotion… Apathy. His face took on its usual less than interested look. His eyes dulled and glazed as if he'd just fallen asleep standing up. He cracked his neck from side to side. Rubbing out the knots that had formed from the stress of the situation.
Finally after several long and agonizing minutes Otter spoke. "Look, I'm sorry about your gramps. I wish I could go back and change what I did, but unfortunately I can't. So, hate me, scream at me, hell try to kill me if you want. I've accepted my past and am done letting it dictate my present. Do what you want, but don't expect me to be dragged back into your drama."
Even Owl stood there stunned by the cold response. She expected him to be remorseful, or even apologetic for the past. Instead, Otter was not so subtly telling her to get over it. Neither girl moved a muscle, and Otter was just rubbing the bridge of his nose annoyed.
Owl finally spoke, needing to get some answers. "Otter…What's going on in that head of yours? That's not the Otter I've come to l…Know and respect."
Otter took a deep breath and released it saying "Owl, I'll be honest with you. I've had to fight, everyday from the time I wake up to when I fall asleep. Then even in my sleep, I have to fight. I have to fight the memories of the awful things I've done. All day everyday nonstop, I have to face the monster that lives inside me. At this point I'm a broken vase. A broken vase that's been broken to nothing more than dust. I'm sorry Owl, but I'm no hero…I'm barely a person." With those words Otter walked past the girl and away from Owl. He headed to the home of the Town Chief.
Owl felt like her legs were trapped in solid stone. She wanted to chase after him, and get a more thorough explanation. The more she tried the less she seemed to be able to get her body to function. The girl seemed to be in the same situation. She was seething with rage, but she didn't turn and chase after him. She stood there aggressively breathing, and staring at Owl.
When their eyes met Owl could feel this girl's blood lust. She held nothing but pure hate for Otter. Owl knew that feeling, and she knew Otter did too, but what she didn't know was how to convince this girl that the Otter she knew isn't the one here today. Another thought crossed her mind, what if it was her facing the people who hurt her in her past? Could she say she'd be acting any differently? If she was by herself, or even with Puppy. They'd probably be just as enraged and filled with hate. So, does she have any right trying to tell her to calm down.
"Do you even know the kind of monster you're working with? He'd kill women, children, anyone if it helps him get ahead. He'd leave you to die in a heartbeat, if it would help him save his own skin." The girl said venomously
Owl let those words sink in, and then realized what Otter was doing. "You're not very smart are you? If he really was this monster killer who'd take a life just for looking at him wrong. He'd have killed you all those years ago, but instead he left you alive. He doesn't kill for the enjoyment. He kills to survive, and he knows better than anyone that what he did to your grandpa was unforgivable. Just like he said he's accepted his past, but he never said he'd forgiven himself for his past. He tortures himself with the memories of his past. He wants to make sure he never forgets the pain he caused. He wants to make sure he holds himself accountable for the lives he's ruined. If you can't understand that, then I pity you and hope you get help. To be honest, looking at you just makes me sad. You're wasting your life on the hate of the past, and missing the beauty of today."
The girl had no words, and even her anger had disappeared. Owl's words seemed to for just a moment make her question herself. Owl, having come to a decision herself to stand by Otter's side, ran past the girl to catch up with Otter.
It took Owl a while to catch up with Otter. He'd taken some back streets, and seemed to be meandering around. When she finally caught up to him. Otter was staring off into the distance, he seemed to be entranced in the foliage or maybe the sky.
"Hey Otter, are you good?" Owl asked concerned
Otter didn't respond; he just continued to stare off at nothing. Upon looking into Otter's eyes, Owl saw the depth of sorrow and pain that Otter carried. She could see the hatred he had for himself. In just the few minutes since catching up with him. Otter appeared to have aged ten years. His eyes looked worn and tired, his face was sunken and ghoulish. It was like he was deteriorating in real time.
Owl wanted to help him, but the more she tried the further the gap between them seemed to grow. They were standing less than a foot apart, and yet for Owl it felt like a continents distance.
"Otter… please talk to me… ple…" Owl was cut off by Otter looking down at her.
He looked at her as if her mere existence was foreign to him. He didn't say a word, but eyes told a story his mouth couldn't tell. It was a story of death, hate, abuse, and betrayal. He stared at her for several minutes, the weight of his aura was heavy enough to crush coal into diamonds. Then he just walked away. No words, no warnings, no emotions, just a simple action.
Owl was left standing there alone in some back street alone. Left to wonder if she'd ever get to see the Otter she'd come to know and respect again.
Puppy and the skeleton warrior made their way to a small clinic on the north side of the village. As the pair walked Puppy couldn't help but get a bad feeling. Each new street brought more and more dread. She knew something was happening with Otter and Owl, but what was she to do? She had a job, and that was to take this girl to the clinic. Then meet up with the rest of the group at the chief house.
After another fifteen minutes of walking, Puppy arrived at the clinic and took the girl from the skeleton. The skeletal warrior crumbled to dust, as if he'd never been there. Puppy kicked the door alerting any workers, was quickly met with a less than enthused nurse.
"The hell you banging for? Just come inside and don't make a racket." A tall blonde woman with glasses and more than a fair share of assets said.
The nurse was over six foot and built like a tank. She wore a long white skirt and white blouse. She also had on a long forest green jacket with a black cross on the back. Puppy took note that that meant she was recognized as the top one percent of healers in the world.
"Excuse me miss, but that jacket you're wearing. Are you a Fairy?" Puppy asked
The nurse turned back to face her and then turning back around scoffed "I'm nothing more than a whore."
Puppy was surprised to hear such an old name being used by a healer of her caliber. Adventurers still use that title, but the Fairies have fought against that name for years.
"You can drop the girl off in here." the nurse said pointing into a room. The room was small and smelled like disinfectant and pine. The room was sparsely furnished with only a bed in the right corner, a night table, and a lone wooden chair.
Puppy set the girl down and tucked her in before heading back to the lobby. The nurse was sitting at her desk. Puppy approached cautiously, and took a seat in front of the desk.
The nurse exhaling a deep breath looked up and asked "Can I help you with something?"
Puppy looked side to side before answering. In all honesty she only took a seat, because she thought she'd have to explain what happened. Still, she steeled her nerves and said "I figured you want an explanation as to how she ended up like this."
The nurse which Puppy began to realize was actually the doctor for this town. Gave Puppy a confused look.
"Why the hell should I care about how that idiot got in that state. Though I haven't done an examination. The girl looks to have already been treated, and by someone of impressive skill. So, I am curious about why, if you have someone of that quality in your party. You would come and bring her here?" The doctor asked
Puppy wasn't sure how to answer. It wasn't like Otter wasn't allowed to treat the girl. Any citizen can do basic first aid, but Otter used magic and technically untested medical work. Which would make him an underground healer. The Rose Kingdom doesn't have any issues with the practice, but allowed each city, town, village to make their own rules on the matter. Lamestead is fine with it, but Puppy wasn't sure if Motta had any rules against it.
Puppy was taking too long to answer so the doctor asked a different question. "Do you know a necromancer with dead eyes, long hair, and a blunt personality?"
Puppy spoke before thinking "Oh you mean Otter?"
The doctor shot up from her desk and lunged at Puppy who tried to escape but was caught off guard. The two girls rolled on the ground trying to get the up hand. Finally the doctor pinning Puppy to the ground said "Where is he?!"
Puppy fighting to get free grunted back "I…I don't…kn…know."
The doctor looked down on Puppy, studying her face and examining her words. After several seconds she released Puppy and getting up offered Puppy her hand. Which Puppy slapped away.
"I apologize for attacking you, but I do need to find Otter. I heard he was coming to this town for a job. Apparently he's joined some new party. Probably a bunch of ditsies just coasting on his strength. Makes me sick how nice he is. He'll help anyone, even if they don't deserve it."
Puppy was kind of offended by the doctor's characterization of Owl and Puppy. "How dare you call me and Owl ditsies. We are A-Ranked adventurers same as him. Also, for your information Otter is here in town. I don't know where he is currently, but in a bit we're all meeting up at the village chief's house. We're here to kill a white wolf."
The doctor shook her head slowly. She seemed to be going through a bunch of scenarios, but Puppy couldn't tell if they were good or bad in nature.
The doctor suddenly focused in on Puppy and then said smiling "Alrighty then, I'm coming with you. Been a while since I've seen my old punching bag."
Puppy decided she didn't want the details. The rest of the time was spent in awkward small talk and long silences. After about thirty minutes the doctor stood, and gestured towards the door. The pair was about to head out. When a small voice came from the room with the mysterious girl.
"Please…help me…please…help my brother."
Owl approached the chief's house. It was a small two story wood house with a red door. There was a warmness emitting from it. It reminded Owl of how the guild building felt when the Golden Harpies were just starting out. She knocked on the door and a soft older voice invited her to come in.
"Hello, my name is Owl and me and my party are here to get any information on the white wolf job."
A short old man in a brown suit and shoes came around the corner and with a smile introduced himself "Hi there, my name is Apollo. You said the white wolf job correct? Then that must mean you're the Necromancer's Harpies."
Owl nodded and gave a small bow. Apollo ushered Owl into a sitting area, and offered her tea or coffee. After pouring her some tea Apollo took a seat across from her.
"So, while we wait for the rest to arrive. Tell me a little about your group."
Owl sat there and thought for a moment. What could she say? She barely knew Otter, and everything about Puppy is just tales of their old party. On top of all that, she couldn't stop thinking about the girl they met earlier. She was so angry, and rightfully so, but now Otter's head is somewhere far from here. Otter said earlier that their newness is going to make this job harder. So, Otter not being all mentally there is only adding to the risk of this job.
Taking a deep breath, Owl answered "Well, there isn't much to say. I met our party leader by mere chance. He's a necromancer from Lamested. His name is Otter, and he said he'd been here a time or two with his previous party." Owl stopped when she saw the shocked look on Apollo's face.
"You don't mean the Dark King? The man of infinite bones? The master of life and death. The former Vice Captain of the party Hebi…Otter?"
Owl sat there stunned. This old man seemed to know more than a little bit about Otter. To be honest Owl thought he sounded like a fan. He spoke with such awe and reverence. Owl shook her head yes and the man continued.
"I heard he had retired, and now spent his days researching medicine and death. I'm shocked he'd return to adventuring. Please tell me more about you and the rest of your group. I'm fascinated to hear about the type of people capable of getting that gloomy kid out of his research."
Owl was caught off guard, but excited to finally have a nonconfrontational conversation. "Well, my name's Owl, and the other one is Puppy. We initially were apart of a different party we started about five years ago. It was an all female party…for personal reasons. However, the guild has a rule that no party can have less than three members. Due to people quitting, dying, and or having to retire. We fell below the minimum, and like any great adventurer. We drank our problems away, and we probably drank to much away. Heh, if I'm being honest though. I'd make that choice a hundred more times. I haven't known Otter for long, and I've gotten very mixed opinions on the guy. Still, he saved me and Puppy's dream. You wanted to know what type of people could be capable of dragging him back into adventuring? Well, two complete idiots who are realizing that they're lucky to be alive with how little they knew. I'm wishing I hadn't though. Ever since he's come back it's been one painful thing after another. He has had to suffer the wounds of the past, and now his mind seems broken. Otter is my friend and I want to help him, but I'm no good at the whole feelings thing. Sorry to just be dumping this on you. I'm in over my head and need to get it out of my head."
Apollo just sat there and listened to her spill her guts. He wore the soft smile of a man who's lived a full life. His eyes said don't worry, life has a funny way of working out. He also never stopped looking past her. At someone standing behind her. Someone who heard everything Owl had said.
"So young man, what do you think of her thoughts?" Apollo said with a bit of a chuckle.
Owl slowly turned around. She froze in embarrassment and shock. When she saw Otter standing in the sitting room entrance looking upset. Not like an angry upset, but one of remorse and frustration. Otter was frustrated with himself and how he has made Owl and probably Puppy worry. He promised that this time things would be different, but here he is still acting the same way. He needed to put his full trust in the girls. They may not have known each other long, but they were a team. They had a goal of being S-ranked, and one day being the greatest party to ever live. Otter knew that as the leader it was his job to inspire trust. He couldn't do that if he didn't learn to trust his own team.
"I'm sorry Owl…I've been a terrible leader and an even worse friend. You girls trusted me even though I'm a man, and you've stayed by me even after learning about my past. I'm sorry I haven't shown you the trust you deserve. I know things haven't gone as smooth for me as I was hoping, but it was all a result of my poor decision. If I had faced these problems back then. I'd never have had this issue. I know this is another one of my failings, but I'm going to need you and Puppy's help as I face them." Otter said
"Do my ears deceive me, or did our loner leader just ask for our help?" Puppy's voice came from behind.
Otter spun around quickly to see Puppy, the doctor, and young girl in the doorway.
Otter was shocked when he saw the doctor. Dumbfounded, he said "Molly…What are you doing here? You're not dealing again are you? I can't help you this time if you get caught."
Molly seemed a bit offended by the insinuation. Still she walked up to Otter giving him a slap on the back that almost knocked Otter to the ground. Otter stood hunched over trying to catch his breath. Molly just stood there laughing at him.
"I see you're still the same weakling. I told you if you don't want people to bully you. You need to bulk up a bit, and maybe get more than three to four hours of sleep. To be honest you always were a bit of a skeleton. Frankly half the time I couldn't tell you apart from your summonings." Molly joked
Otter looked even more dead inside than normal. Puppy and Owl were confused on the nature of their relationship. Molly was just laughing away, and the girl seemed to shrink into the background.
Owl finally asked the question on everybody's mind. "How the hell do you know this…sizable woman?"
Otter thought to himself that he was glad he wasn't the only one intimidated by Molly. "We're old party mates from Hebi. She was our party's healer, and she's a whore."
"She's a what now?" Owl asked even more confused than before.
Otter took a long exhausted breath and said "See the green jacket she's wearing?" Owl nodded and Otter continued "That's a sign that she is one of the greatest healers in the world. The official name for this group is Faries, but another name is whore. A couple hundred years ago the World Healer Association or WHA was formed. Today they are the only place one can be called a Certified Healer. Back in the day though it was a different place. Each kingdom wanted to control the healers in their lands, and the WHA wanted the art of healing to be immune from territorial lines. So, a bunch of men had a brilliant idea. Let's pimp out our healers in exchange for using the WHA, and following the guidelines set forth by them."
Owl interrupted with some thoughts and questions "What the fuck is wrong with people? How didn't this fall apart when all the healers got pregnant? Fuck I hate men…Except for you Otter. You're cool I guess."
Otter, confused how to respond to the last part said "Thanks…I guess. I can't say what was going through their heads when they came up with this plan. I'd wager it had something to do with the fact that only Elven women made up the healers. Back then humans couldn't hold a candle to Elves in most areas of magic, but especially healing magic. Elves also had the advantage in the fact that they don't procreate easily. They could do it hundreds of times without getting even a scare. This surprisingly benefited all parties involved. The Elf ladies strangely enough weren't all that against quid pro quos, and the wealthy elites get to fuck an Elf. To top it all off this arrangement is the reason the WHA even succeeded in creating a neutral organization that gives every kingdom adequate medical care. Then about fifty or so years ago when humans made up three fourths of the medics. A movement began to end the exploitation, as well as end the use of the term whore and return to the official name of Faires. It's only in the last fifteen to twenty years that changes were implemented. Even still, many of the healers still have to trade their bodies for opportunity." Otter concluded
The was deathly silent, Puppy and Owl looked between each other. Then at Molly who couldn't look more disinterested if she tried. She was just scanning the room and seeming to make mental notes of something.
"Um…Are you a real whore?" A way to cheery for the question voice asked.
When everyone turned around the girl was standing staring at Molly with full sincerity in her eyes. She genuinely didn't see the issue with her question. Even Molly seemed a bit taken aback.
The girl was a bit shorter than Owl and Puppy. They stood at five foot four and five foot five respectively. This girl stood about five foot one. She had long golden blonde hair, eyes as blue as the sea, and the frame of a slightly warped board. She wore a blue v-neck top, black pants, and black sandals with blue straps.
Molly studied the clueless girl before smirking and responding. "Do you know what Whore is?"
Livvy didn't need any time to think. "Of course I know what a whore is. It means you've been passed around like gold coins. Though I doubt the coins are as sticky."
The room was left stunned by this girl's answer. Otter, Owl, Puppy, and Apollo looked between each other. No one wanted to move or say anything. Molly on the other hand not only found Livvy's answer amusing, she found it down right side splitting. Molly almost fell over laughing. Otter and the rest feeling slightly less on edge gave a light uneasy chuckle.
Molly calmed down, looked at the young girl with a soft smile and said "Well, I can't disagree with anything you've said, but it's a little more complicated than that. Whore is an old term for the top one percent of healers in the world. The official name is Fairies, and most Fairies want to eradicate the old term Whore. I still remember when that was widely accepted as part of the job. It's a shitty past, but one that can't be forgotten."
Livvy stood like a statue, seeming to be trying to process everything Molly had just dropped on her. Her blue eyes were covered in an unfocused haze, she was fidgeting with her long blonde hair. She began to kind of pivot from foot to foot, and before anyone knew it she was full on crying.
The group was frozen as to what to do. Well, everyone but Molly who just wrapped Livvy in her arms and told her "It's fine, compared to some people her past was easy." Molly looked back at Otter, and then back down at Livvy still weeping in her arms. "I promise you did nothing wrong. So there isn't any reason to cry about it"
Livvy sniffled a bit longer then wiping her eyes she said "I'm sorry I just realized I never gave you all a proper introduction. My name is Livvy, and I specialize in water magic. Nice to meet you all, and thanks for saving my life."
Owl grumbled back "Thank him not us. He's the one who healed your wounds. Me and Puppy just killed the orcs."
Livvy focused her attention on the gloomy man standing in the back. Otter tried to melt out of sight, but the group parted to make it easier for Livvy to see him. Much to Otter's dismay.
"So, you saved me? Are you also a whore?" Livvy asked innocently
The girls couldn't stop themselves from bursting into laughter. Molly, choking on her laughter said "Absolutely, he's the biggest whore I know."
Otter glared at Molly, but she ignored him and kept laughing. Sighing as he answered Otter said "No, I am not nor have I ever been a whore in any sense of the word. I'm a Necromancer and researcher of both healing and death. I can't use healing magic. I use potions, blood manipulation, and surgical techniques."
Livvy stared at him confused how what he does is different from Molly. Otter was about to explain further, but Molly decided to take a crack at explaining the difference.
"Basically, to be considered a healer, you first must be recognized by the WHA World Healer Association. However, only those who can use healing magic are allowed to be admitted. Otter is what the WHA calls an underground healer. In most nations it's not illegal, but WHA tries to frame them as being crazy lunatics who will do you more harm than good. If they did choose to allow him though, he'd be a Fairy of the highest order. His medical knowledge is without equal. Does it make sense now?"
"Livvy stood there scratching her head, and then simply replying "Not even a little bit"
Everyone's heads dropped in exhaustion. Otter sensing that they weren't going to get her to understand decided to just leave it at that.
"Well, it doesn't really matter that much. Let's get back to why we're here girls. Chief, can you give us a run down of the situation at the mine?"
Apollo shook back jumping a bit, and stuttering said "O…Of course, please follow me to the meeting room."
The group filed in and took their seats. When everyone was seated and refreshments had been served Apollo asked "Is everyone ready to get started?"
The front door flew open and storming in was Ana. With fire and brimstone in her being she yelled "OTTER I'M NOT FUCKING DONE WITH YOU!!!"