>>6321827
>>6322005
Turtledove had been your decision. It had its own share of hindrances associated, of course, but so did the other option. CZ had appeared about to interrupt you, but thought better of it, and by the time you are all packed up and ready to go, she’s positively excited.

“Do ya think Testa’ll like the new me?” she asks eagerly. “Ooo! I KNOW she’ll like the new you!”

“That a crack about the scars?”

“Wh—no! I meant ‘cause ya got that snazzy cloak ‘n that oriental skirt ‘n shit!”

You steal a glance down at your new duds and puff up your chest in pride. “Ya think so?”

“Oh yeah!” CZ grins and nods. “She’s all about that, uh, sar-toh-ree-al shit!”

While you’ve never been a ‘girly girl’ by the standards of mankind—not at all like Nicolette Testa herself—you admit some satisfaction at that thought, even if you’re pretty sure your sis is buttering you up to get back in your good graces. Testa is more of a friend-of-a-friend in all honesty, and in the past has been more of a frenemy, but over the years apart you’ve managed to grow a little fonder of one another. At the very least, her fashion sense is something you can’t deny, nor is her loyalty or ability to keep a secret.

(And speaking of secrets…)

“That pet hundun of yers is gnna have ta lay low,” you tell Carazzi.

“Huh?” She blinks, then chuckles. “Oh, duh, because of the whole…”

“Bein’ a giant freaky monster?”

“…I was gonna say bein’ the descendant of a Dark God.”

“Yeah,” you agree, “that too.”

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem,” CZ assures you. “They’ve all been pretty well-behaved! Well, like… as far as I KNOW.”

(…Huh?)

“A-anyway, let’s go!”

You give your sister a look, then sigh as she keeps her cool and remains clammed up. Whatever… how bad can it be?

You heft your pack, she hefts hers, and with your two chimeric drakes in tow you join the rest of the away party and pass through the portal which Ayla has prepared, and into the low, dry heat of a southerly night.

…