Epilogue B ~ ...and the caged bird, who believes herself to be free.

"Drinks are on me!" The taverngoers at Aurora's cheer at the swordsman's generosity.

It's our usual establishment, but today's a special day-- at least for the swordsman. The slaver's daughter has offered to join our merry band of misfits.

...That's unfair of me to ascribe her that nickname. I've never been one to buy into the concept of ancestral sin-- the entire 'sins of the father' aphorism, I mean. Hmm...

The goth...? That's too nonspecific. The... spearwielder? That could apply to Mae'poi.

...Mmm. Whatever. I'll think of one later.

As I was saying, Kiel will now be accompanying us on our journeys. ...Deny it as he might, the swordsman always enjoys it when he gets to add another woman to the party-- especially if he finds them attractive. So, he's found himself in a particularly giving mood at our usual haunt.

"You don't need to do this for me." She speaks curtly, but it's readily apparent that she's appreciative of this gesture.

"Nonsense-- it's time to celebrate! It'll get your mind off of things, too."

"Yeah... I'm so sorry about your mom, Kie-nya." Nema puts a hand to her shoulder.

Kiel shrugs. "Thanks, Toko. ...We'll find her killer."

...Hmm?

"Killer?" I ask. "I thought her house had burnt down."

That was the story I had manufactured, at least. I'd flown to the house to torch it myself, even.

"I just don't buy she'd care about her slaves enough to let them free in the event of her death." She takes a sip of her mead. "That, and- ...no, it's stupid."

"No, go on." The swordsman places a hand on hers, softening his voice for once.. "I'm sure it's not stupid."

She laughs a bit. "Something just feels off. Something in the back of my mind's telling me that."

...Was I not strong enough wiping her memories? That could be bad.

"Not to be disrespectful..." The elven ranger butts in. "...but is this really something we should be talking about? We should be celebrating... getting drunk and all."

"Ari-nya...!"

"No, it's fine Toko-- she's right." Kiel smiles. "Besides, me and mom were never on good terms. I just want whoever killed her to find justice-- if there even was someone that killed her, I mean."

"Yeah, exactly." The swordsman raises his mug. "C'mon, let's toast. To our new adventures."

"To our new adventures!" The others raise their mugs, cheering together.

I chuckle, figuring I might as well play along. "To our new adventures."

Wait... The harpy was in on that cheer, too.

"Is... that milk in Birdie's mug?" I ask, confused.

"Nah, don't be a buzzkill, Eli. Today's a day to celebrate."

"She's 17."

"Nah, she's totally... wait, how old are you?"

"17, big bro!" She coos with excitement.

"That's.... not right, right?" He looks confused. Hopping off his seat, he walks over to her, shifting through her neck fluff and-

...!!

A... slave collar?

He presses the button on the front, the harpy's information showing up before us.

Kiel cocks an eyebrow.

'Birdie'... aged 17.

"Huh. Well so it is." He shrugs his shoulders. "That's practically adult age."

"For humans."

"Y-yeah."

"Harpies age slower than humans...?"

"...It's just one drink, what's the worst that can happen?"

I place a hand on his shoulder as he tries moving to his seat. "Can we talk for a moment? In private."

"Uh, yeah."

The two of us head outside to a nearby alleyway.

I get to the point. "Why is Birdie a slave?"

"Because... I bought her? Duh."

"No, I thought you freed her. You said you'd freed her."

"She wanted to keep the collar on."

"If I ask her that, is she going to say the same?"

He furrows his brow.

"If I ask Toko why the two of you ran off two weeks ago, will she also say it was to clear that cave of the giant cicadas?"

...

I'm caught off-guard.

"What...?"

"I know the two of you used to date." He smirks. "Be honest, you wanted to rekindle that, didn't you? It's in your name after all, Elioxus Kindlemare~"

My expression goes blank. I'm as relieved as I am perplexed and pissed. ...It's Brysen, why was I even worried?

"It's fine, I get it." He waves his hand. "Once a chubby chaser, always a chubby chaser."

...I want to punch him in the face so badly right now.

"Whatever--" I try to salvage my composure. "You know how I feel about owning slaves."

He shrugs his shoulders. "I know, but hey-- 'When in Rome,' am I right?"

'When in...' What does that even mean?

"We should be celebrating today, not arguing. I'm going back for another drink." He heads off. "It sounds like you need one, too."

...

Curse my draconic constitution. I'd get absolutely shitfaced right now, if I could.

Wait, if the tab's on him, maybe I can.

...I suppose my partnership with him can have its silver linings, every now and then.