The Essentials

After ordering Illia more sashimi, the girls chatted a bit more before finishing up and getting ready to leave. Vianna insisted on paying, no matter how much Cress begged to split the bill, saying it was to "celebrate Illia moving in".

"Alright, I have to go pick up some office supplies for the lab, so I'll be heading out," Vianna said. "Don't be late to your next shift, Cress."

"I won't. Have a little more faith in me, jeez."

"Right. Illia, make sure to keep an eye on her. You never know what to expect when you're with her."

"I shall," Illia said with a slight bow. "On my honor no harm will come to Cress."

Vianna chuckled and returned the bow with a playful curtsy before walking away.

"That was a pleasant meal," Illia said once Vianna was out of earshot. "Your friends are quite integrous."

"They're pretty great, though sometimes they're a bit much for me. Kirian has so much energy and Vi is so smart it makes my head spin. And when they're together… it's interesting."

"I think it's splendid how they contrast your personality. From my observations, the three of you compliment one another's shortcomings."

Turning away before Illia could see her scrunched brow, Cress pointed down the street. "I wanted to stop by the grocer before going home. Since you liked the fish, I thought we could get other meat for you to try… And I was hoping you could tell me more about where you come from." She mumbled the last part under her breath, her voice trembling.

"There's no need to play coy, Cress. After the tribulations we faced during our meal, I also thought it prudent to disclose more about myself."

"Then let's start with the basics," Cress said, heading down the sidewalk. "What is your world even called?"

Illia didn't answer, tilting her head as she fell in pace next to Cress. She had to wait until Cress took several steps before she could take one to stay in sync.

"That is a difficult question. Each species has a unique language, so the name varies, though I believe it is Fanasi in the Common language."

"The Common language? Is that like a universal language everyone uses?"

Illia shook her head. "Universal for humans, though not others. In my language we call the planet Ilsia Habia which roughly translates to 'The Matriarch's Burrow'."

"I wonder if they're a matriarchal society like the drow in books. What if they're just as conniving and murderous? I've already seen how easy it is for her."

"What about the Southern Sands? Is that where we… met?"

"It was, though, near the border. I did not find it pertinent to mention upon our meeting, but the truth is I am in exile."

"Exile?!"

"Yes. I will not bore you with specifics, but there is political unrest in the Southern Sands that led me to be branded as a traitor to my people. That is why the humans were searching for me."

"Why would humans care about sp… your politics?"

A sharp hiss and click answered Cress before she spoke. "While I cannot yet pass judgment on your people, the humans of my world are gluttonous and greedy. They are a plague that subjugates and steals, building their kingdoms from the scraps of their fallen betters."

"Oh." Mia, Dian, and Marcel's faces flashed in Cress's mind. Had they been like that? They'd saved her, taken care of her. They weren't anything like what Illia described. Then again, Illia was speaking about humanity as a whole.

"I know that look. My condemnation is common among all non-human species." Illia's eyes were narrow, her lush lips pursed.

They walked in silence for a block before Cress dared to ask more questions, and she made sure to keep the questions as innocuous as possible. Even then she was able to learn a great deal about the Princess. She had become the youngest general in the history of her kingdom and the best swordswoman they had. According to Illia, the second strongest was barely half as skilled as she was, though Cress wondered how credible a statement that was.

The title of "Fifth Princess" also surprised Cress. She had assumed that fifth made Illia lower ranking among the royalty, but Illia explained she earned it by being the only survivor of the fifth brood (out of around thirty). To acquire the title she had been forced to fight in a battle royale with the other two hundred members of the fifth brood. The callousness in her tone made the food in Cress's stomach churn, but she accepted it in stride.

Their venture into the grocery store was fairly mundane. To Cress's surprise, Illia was less impressed than she thought she would be. Her curiosity most revolved around the amount of packaged food and whether or not preserving food in such a manner affected the taste. They didn't buy much; a few drinks that Cress liked and a few Illia found intriguing, and fresh salmon, pork, beef, and chicken.

"Are you sure this will be enough?" Cress asked for the dozenth time as they stepped out of the store. "You don't have to worry about the cost."

"This is satisfactory. It would be senseless to purchase more without knowing whether it is to my taste."

"That makes sense. I wonder if she's so frugal because of her time in the military? From what she described, she still receives special treatment for her status, so I doubt she has to worry about how much her meals cost. It's so hard to get a read on her since she rarely makes any expressions and speaks so formally."

"The sun's setting," Cress said, checking her phone. It was a little past five. "We should get back before it gets dark."

"Are you concerned?" Illia asked, flinching as a large truck sped by. "I was under the impression humans were the apex species of Earth."

"I guess that's true. We don't have any natural predators. I'm just worried about-"

As if on cue, a scraggly looking man in grimy clothes stepped from an alley in front of the pair, blocking their way. In his twitching hand he held a kitchen knife that he pointed at Cress and he gave her a rotten toothed smile.

"Purse. Now."