Another Stupid Isekai

To my surprise, Hailwic was sitting on a stool, next to the entrance to Velvet Lotus. Totally focused on sharpening a new ax. It was a different one from the weapon I was used to seeing in her hands. Rishi's work - I thought immediately.

- Good morning - I said to her.

She slowly looked up, stopping her work. Upon seeing me she smiled.

- Peter. I didn't know you were back. Good to see you.

- It's good to see you too. Can I come in?

- Sure. Go ahead.

- Thanks.

I went inside. Blue-pink duo was playing cards on the bench and behind the counter, Alice was playing solitaire by herself. With one hand scratching Razzle's back, who was lying next to her cards. She peaked up, to look who entered, then I noticed a new scar on her right temple, going lower and almost reaching cheekbone.

- Peter. Hi...

- Hi. How is your cat?

- Good as you can see - she smiled. - Just like your chicken. Aisha is taking good care of him for you.

- Is she upstairs?

- Probably. Go, and check.

- Thanks.

I went deeper, pushing the cloth to the side. The interior didn't change much. There were few people working there, cleaning up the tables, sweeping the floor et cetera. Shavonne among them. She didn't even notice me, too busy with the work.

On the left, Vesa was preparing the alcohol. Putting up bottles on the shelves, with her back turned to me. I decided to not interrupt them, and shadow walked to the stairs, then made my way up. I went straight to Aisha's office, doing my best to avoid even looking at Nadia's old room. Then I knocked on the door.

- Come in - Aisha responded almost immediately.

I went inside. She was working, sitting behind her desk covered in papers. Tam was sitting among all that mess.

- Hi Peter - sie said with a slight smile, as Tam jumped down on the floor.

He ran straight to me, and I picked him up.

- Yeah... Hi, Peter - from the side came Zoë's voice.

I didn't notice her at first. She was laying on the couch and playing with her knife.

- Bwak! - Tam greeted me.

- Hi. Hi everybody.

- I heard you were back and was actually wondering when you will show up - said Aisha, while standing up. - I heard you weren't in the best shape...

- Tough hunt.

Her frowned eyebrows told me she wasn't buying that.

- Look, Peter... I know that sometimes people just go and take full responsibility for everything around, just because they don't trust others. I know because I was there, and I'm partially responsible for the mess we are dealing with right now. Don't take the same path I did. Don't try to do everything by yourself. I know you are blaming yourself, just as I did until not too long ago - she peaked at Zoë for a split second. - This way leads only towards your own doom. Let your friends help you. If after everything you are still willing to call me your friend, then allow me to help too.

- I'm fine. I don't know with whom you talked, but I'm fine. I didn't do anything stupid. The hunt was just tough. I'm not invincible, as we found out not too long ago.

She sighed.

- Just promise me you will talk with somebody if you need help. If you don't want to talk with me, talk with Will. I'm sure he will help you to the best of his ability.

- I know that.

- I'm not convinced, but I don't want to argue with you. Just remember that if you need me, I'm here.

Part of me wanted to say that's a bit too late for that, but I know that wouldn't be fair. I could understand her motives and intentions, even if I couldn't understand the actions she took. That was in the past though, and in face of new danger, we needed to unite. The conflict should end.

I forgave her, but for my trust... She had to still work hard to even regain a bit of it.

Then suddenly she came closer and hugged me. I was not expecting something like that from her.

- I'm really sorry for everything.

Zoë cleared her throat loudly, enough to pick the attention of both of us. Aisha stepped back and gave her a quick smile that for mee seemed a bit apologetic. For I moment I thought that maybe there was something going on between them.

The knocking on the door picked my attention, and the thought got dropped.

- Come in - said Aisha.

- Hi everybody - said Will, entering the room, and immediately looked at me. - I was looking for you.

- For me? Why?

He sighed heavily.

- I wanted to apologize for what I did yesterday. I should have never done that. I'm sorry.

- It's fine. I get it, you care. But I'm fine, so don't worry, ok?

- No, you don't understand Peter. When you said we should let the Followers of Divine Tree just do what they want, something inside me snapped. Blue said almost the same thing as you, and I completely disagree with both of you. We need to have our hands on everything that's going on in the city. If we won't, then the situation will repeat over, and over again.

- So you had that conversation yesterday? - asked Aisha, with a slight smile. - If my word means something, I agree with Will.

- Thank you, Aisha.

- Oh come on guys... Do you seriously want to argue about that right now?

- I believe we should all be on the same page. Now is an as good time as ever. Aisha is on the council, so I believe we should discuss it, and vote. But not like yesterday, when you just say few words and run.

- We already talked about it... - Aisha pointed out.

- But Peter wasn't with us, and Hatta is swinging from side to side. We need a proper discussion.

I sighed.

- Oh fuck you, Will... Bring it. Tell me what you think.

I went and picked up the chair on the other side of Aisha's desk, and sat on it with the chair back between my legs, waiting to listen to what he had to say.