SR: After Securing the Architect

Percy sat at the desk in his small, concrete building, held together with steel beams to withstand the vibrations of constant noise. He was used to noise, for the forest was always filled with a dull and incessant buzzing, but the vibrations caused by the TKLifeOnTwoLimbs was different than that. It rattled in an uncomfortable way, one that made Percy miss the vibrations of wings in the Brocelia forest.

A flash of light distorted his vision in his left eye, causing him to wince and glance back. His mouth, open in surprise at the intrusion, bared black fangs held together by silvery train tracks of wire, in order to tame his overcrowded jaw, which clicked as he swallowed. The presence wasn't threatening, which meant it could only be George who was fitting his way through the small window.

Percy's black compound eyes softened, diamond white pupils wide. They had much to discuss.

"Did you... get my letter?" George asked, his voice a low, nasally rumble. Percy wondered what it would sound like amid the buzzing in the forest. He was dressed in all black, matching his rough skin as it began to warm into an olive yellow in the damp, cold cellar.

Percy nodded, "I did." When he saw George's face fall, he immediately added context. "What I have to say, it was worth saying in person. I'm sorry that I made you wait."

George half-stumbled over to Percy, to which Percy stood up and wrapped him in a tight embrace. Percy felt the aches in his muscles disappear as the shorter man held him tight, and he closed his eyes, and instead concentrated on the vibration of George's quickened heartbeat.

"I heard you went in on a hunch alone and rescued her," Percy whispered against George's ear, knowing that each puff of warm breath would reach his best friend and soothe him from the panic of the past few weeks. "I missed your voice," he sighed, content, even though he was shaking and overcome with emotion."

"It's only been a few weeks, Percy," George smiled, his expression sheepish.

"Says the salamander writing me love letters."

With a quiet smirk, Percy led them to his sleeping quarters, down a long series of tunnels.

"How is it living in a nest?" George asked absently, knowing Percy's people were very antisocial. Percy however, lived in a nest with other Fleshwingfolk.

"It's fine. Even the worst of the worst of us haven't triggered martial law," Percy scoffed, referring to the strict breeding laws imposed upon the Spinnerfolk like Yoan Assur and Mihailis Mihrdatis, two mercenaries they worked with.

They sat on the couch together as Percy poured them some nectar wine.

"So... I would be interested to know your thoughts on the Architect," George prompted.

Percy took a sip of the nectar, relaxing against the cushions, and sighed. "I had an Alicorna contact look into it to confirm, but yes she is an interdimensional being. She is the game piece of a witch, a goddess from Sol-III. Remember that strange dream I had about the talking wolf? On that cold and dark planet, filled with snow?"

"Are you sure that wasn't just somewhere in Giamos?"

"No, it was not here. It was in their dimension, just... far away. She's not an architect in her world, she's more like a magician or prophet. What struck me was her mentioning she is looking for her wolf lord. I have confirmed that to be true. She's also the game piece of a powerful witch from their land. Whoever she is... she has powerful energy backing her. We hit a gold mine."