*Flashback*
*A day or so after Dust the others returned from Bludhaven, he was relaxing in his apartment when all of a sudden his phone rang*
(Dust): I swear if this is another telemarketer. Hello?
(Lylah): Hello Dust.
(Dust): Lylah, so good to hear from you. Was wondering when you would call. I take it you and the others successfully defeated the Noetia Syndicate?
(Lylah): Yes. Thank you for fulfilling your end of the deal. They didn’t stand a chance and now the clan controls the kingdom’s underworld.
(Dust): Nice. So I guess you’re calling about your third request?
(Lylah): *Chuckles* Straight to business. Very well. Yes, this is about the third request. I want to go on a date with you.
(Dust): That’s it? Alright that shouldn’t be a prob-
(Lylah): In Brister.
(Dust): Vidon? (Pardon?)
(Lylah): I want to see where you’ve been hiding all this time.
(Dust): But, surely you have your hands full with Bludwood.
(Lylah): Oh, Dante and Jordan can handle things in my absence. I’ve been invited to a clan party at HQ. Since I’ll be passing that area I figured why not stop and visit. Unfortunately, it’ll be for one day, so I won’t be there long. However, I do have plenty of time to have dinner and see a few sights before I leave the next day. Who better to be my guide?
(Dust): I suppose you’re right. When can I expect you?
(Lylah): I’ll contact you at a later date with the details. For now, enjoy the holidays. I look forward to seeing you.
*Lylah ends the call*
(Dust): So this is what it feels like to be led by a carrot.
*Flashback ends*
***
*Present Day*
*At the Brister train station, Lylah’s train pulled in and came to a complete stop*
(Train conductor): We have arrived in Brister. At this time you may get your bags and depart the train. Thank you for riding with us. Enjoy your stay in Brister and happy new year to all.
*Lylah got up from her seat, grabbed her grey bag and began to leave the train. She wore a long black jacket with a black snow cap and dark brown boots. As she made her way through the station some of the men stopped to get a glance at her and were left stunned by her beauty. It was no secret that female elves were beautiful but Lylah’s beauty was definitely a cut above the average elf. Lylah noticed the knights stationed throughout the building and was even able to discern some of them in disguise. She decided to ignore and continue walking*
(Lylah): So this is Brister. It certainly lives up to its reputation. The kingdom is not only safe and secured thanks to its knights but the kingdom is gorgeous in the winter time.
*Lylah finally makes it outside the station where she sees the streets are practically glowing with lights and the citizens are chatting happily with each other as they walk along the sidewalks. Down below the stairs of the train station, a Sharkfang car pulled up to the sidewalk. The driver’s door opened and out came Dust. Lylah smiled upon seeing Dust and walked down the stairs in a mature manner toward the car doing everything in her power to suppress the giddy girl inside of her from running toward Dust and tackling him to the ground as she hugged him*
(Dust): Hey there. Welcome to Brister.
(Lylah): Thank you for having me. It’s so good to see you again.
*Lylah bows*
(Lamar): Milady!
*Lylah turns around and sees Lamar wearing a light grey jacket and black boots. He had two rolling suitcases. One was black while the other was red*
(Lamar): I finally caught up to you. Please don’t run off like that. We don’t know what dangers this kingdom has.
(Lylah): *Sigh* I’ve told you Lamar there’s nothing to worry about. Brister isn’t enemy territory. We’re just travelers passing through. As long as we don’t cause any trouble they won’t bother us.
(Lamar): Even so, we should still use caution.
(Dust): A friend of yours, Lylah?
(Lylah): Oh Dust, this is Lamar.
(Lamar): Apologies for the late introduction. I am Lamar Celes.
(Lylah): Lamar joined the clan sometime after I took over the family. He works as my assistant/advisor.
(Lamar): Milady holds you in such high regards. It is a pleasure to meet you.
*Lamar extends his hand and Dust shakes it*
(Dust): Likewise. Thanks for looking after Lylah. I was under the impression it would only be her making the trip.
(Lylah): That was the original plan, but Lamar insisted on coming with me and wouldn’t accept no for an answer.
(Lamar): While I know you can take care of yourself milady, I won’t take that chance in unfamiliar territory such as this. Not to worry, I have no intention of getting in your way or disturbing your evening. I’ll get us checked in to our hotel. Please, enjoy your evening.
*Lamar walks over to a taxi instructing him on where he needs to go*
(Lylah): Sorry about this.
(Dust): It’s fine. He’s at least being respectful and giving you space. He seems like a very diligent guy.
(Lylah): He is. Very hard working. He’s done a lot for me and the family. His fighting and strategies are also quite peerless.
(Dust): Well let’s not wait anymore. You’ve only got one night here in Brister so let’s make the best of it.
*Dust opens the car door for Lylah and she gets in. Once Dust gets in they drive off as Lamar was getting into his taxi and watching them*
***
*After a few minutes of driving, Dust and Lylah reached the Cloud 9 Hotel and Casino. Dust parked in the VIP spot and the chauffeurs, two boys, came to open the doors for both Dust and Lylah. The first boy was an elf with freckles, brown eyes, and emerald hair. The other, was a shot human with black eyes and ruby hair. They both wore black shoes, red pants, white buttoned shirts, and matching red jackets*
(Elf chauffeur): Welcome back Mr. Balor. How are we this evening?
(Dust): Doing good. How are the tables?
(Elf chauffeur): Running hot.
(Dust): As to be expected.
*The human chauffeur helps Lylah out of the car and she looks up at the hotel and casino impressed by what she saw. The two made their way inside where they removed their jackets to reveal their outfits. Dust was wearing grey pants along with a grey vest over a white button shirt and a burgundy tie. Lylah wore a sleeveless maxi burgundy dress. As Dust was checking in their jackets, Lylah went over to the stairs overlooking the casino floor where she saw various slots and tables full of people gambling. She was once amazed at the scope of the casino*
(Dust): Magnificent, wouldn’t you say?
(Lylah): Indeed. In all of the casinos I’ve been to this is by far the cleanliness and most efficiently run I’ve seen.
*Lylah was overlooking the casino, Dust managed to get in close behind her and bent down to her ear catching her completely off guard*
(Dust): I was talking about you. But yes, the casino is nice.
*Lylah could practically feel her face turning red by Dust’s comment. Dust meanwhile smiled happy with the effect of his comment*
(Dust): Come on. It’s almost time for our reservation.
*Dust took Lylah’s hand and led her toward the stairs where they descendent and headed toward the food court affectionately called the food gallery. They approached the service desk that was being run by a squirrel demihuman who was female and short. She wore glasses and had brown eyes and hair. She wore a long-sleeved white shirt and black pants*
(Squirrel demihuman): Hello. How many in your party?
(Dust): Two. We have a reservation. It should be under Balor. Dust Balor.
*The demihuman’s eyes lit up hearing that name. Everyone on staff at the casino and hotel knew that name and knew how important it was. She quickly pulled up the reservation log and saw Dust’s name*
(Squirrel demihuman): Ah yes. Right this way please.
*The demihuman pulled out two menus and led the two elves to their table. Once they stopped at a table, Dust pulled out Lylah’s chair and she took her seat followed by Dust who sat across from her*
(Squirrel demihuman): Your server will be here momentarily. Can I get you anything to drink?
(Dust): We’ll have two Santa Monicas, please.
(Squirrel demihuman): Of course.
*The squirrel demihuman takes her leave after inputting their drinks*
(Dust): We can finally share that drink I promised you all those years ago. Assuming you can hold your liquor.
(Lylah): Don’t underestimate me. I’ve been known to outdrink even some of our senior members at the clan.
(Dust): Impressive. Unfortunately, there will be no drinking contest tonight. Instead, a celebration.
*The server brings their drinks. It was another demihuman who was female and was a shark. Just like the squirrel demihuman she wore a white long-sleeved buttoned shirt and black pants with her tail on full display. She had short black hair and purple eyes*
(Server shark): Here you go. Santa Monicas.
*The server puts the drinks on the table*
(Server shark): Are you both ready to order?
(Dust): Yes. I’ll have the spicy pot roast.
(Lylah): And I’ll have the chicken spaghetti lo Mein.
(Server shark): Excellent choices. I’ll have the kitchen get started on those.
*The server takes the menus and leaves*
(Dust): Santa Monicas. Perfect drink for a festive time.
(Lylah): It gives off a fruity aroma as well. Judging by the smell, I detect lemons, limes, and. . .raspberries.
(Dust): Looks like someone knows their alcohol.
*Lylah smiles happily knowing that she impressed Dust with her knowledge*
(Dust): Here’s to a wonderful reunion.
*Dust and Lylah raise their glasses and drink savoring the flavor of their drinks. The two then began to talk about the year. Making sure to use code words as to not raise suspicion and reminiscing about the past before their food arrived. As the two were discussing and eating with each other, in the building next door, Amarti was in his office enjoying a nice bourbon while watching Dust and Lylah from his monitor, enjoying the show*
(Amarti): Good show, Dust. You’re a lot more romantic than I thought.
*Amarti smiled and leaned back in his chair enjoying his drink before looking out the window and saw it was starting to snow*
***
*After eating their meals, Dust and Lylah left the restaurant and opted not to gamble. Instead, they decided to walk through the casino’s indoor aquarium. With their arms hooked, Dust led Lylah through the aquarium, who was amazed at the various fish they had swimming around them*
(Lylah): Such beautiful fish. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a variety of fish all together in one place before.
(Dust): Yeah, each of these fish was handpicked by the staff.
(Lylah): Oh really? Which ones did you choose?
(Dust): The fish I’ve chosen are a little bit special. Follow me.
***
*Dust led Lylah to a private, secured area. Under normal circumstances, she would be wary about being taken to a private area, but knew that she could trust Dust*
(Dust): This area is still under development, but it should be safe to give you a private showing.
*Dust flips the switch on the wall to turn on the lights. This gives Lylah a better view of the room they were in and can see that the exhibit was filled with jellyfish*
(Lylah): Jellyfish? Quite the interesting choice. I would have imagined you would choose something small and cute like penguins.
(Dust): These aren’t your average jellyfish.
*Dust pulls out his phone and hits play on his music app where a peaceful yet sober song began to play. As if on cue, the jellyfish began to swim to the beat of the song. Changing colors as well. It looked as if they dancing. Lylah’s face lit up at what they were doing.
(Lylah): Amazing! It’s so beautiful.
(Dust): These are Melodic Jellyfish. They’re a rare and special jellyfish who dance in harmony with the music they hear. Legend has it that Azure met a songstress many years ago. While he carried no romantic feelings for the songstress, he fell in love with her voice. No matter what he was doing he would always stop and go listen to the songstress sing. When the songstress passed away, Azure captured her voice in a magic conch shell and played it for all the creatures of the ocean to hear. He played it for days so that they could all memorize the voice of the songstress, but it was the jellyfish who took that song and created a dance for it which pleased Azure. As a reward he gave them the ability to hear any kind of music in the world and dance to it.
*Dust presses a button on his phone to change up the song. It was now a light jazz song. He sat the phone down as the jellyfish began to dance and change colors to the beat of the song. He then walked over to Lylah*
(Dust): May I have this dance, milady?
*Dust offered his hand as Lylah blushed*
(Lylah): I would be delighted.
*Lylah accepted and the two began to ballroom dance in the room as the jellyfish swam around them. Lylah’s movements were elegant and mesmerizing. She danced liked a pro. Meanwhile, Dust seemed to be doing everything in his power to keep up with her*
(Dust): *Chuckles* Looks like I’m still no good at this after all these years.
(Lylah): You’re actually moving a lot better this time around than when we first danced.
(Dust): Maybe. But it’s clear you’ve gotten a lot better at this.
*The two go back to dancing with each other*
(Lylah): Hey, Dust? Will you reconsider my offer and return to the clan? I know you have obligations to the others in Brister, but I’m sure they would reconsider if you asked.
(Dust): Sorry, Lylah. But my answer remains the same. There are still some in the clan who wouldn’t accept me. The last thing the clan needs is a civil war, and I can’t put you and the others in a dangerous spot like that.
(Lylah): Then, is this time we’re spending just a waste? Just you indulging the whims of a young maiden?
*Dust dips Lylah and brings his head down. At first, Lylah was expecting Dust to kiss her, but instead he brought his head down to her left ear*
(Dust): You know better than anyone that I don’t do anything unless I want to do it. Even if you didn’t ask, I would have invited you and the others to Brister to see you again.
*Dust brings her back up just as the song was coming to an end, and the jellyfish returned to normal. Dust stood there smiling at Lylah, who was left stunned and blushing, all while looking down sideways to hide her face*
Author’s Note: How’s that for a nice change of pace? This was an idea I thought up as I was finishing volume 3. Dust and Lylah going on a date together gave me a chance to show off and explore new sides of both characters. We see a gentler and more romantic side of Dust. While seeing a more vulnerable and easily led side of Lylah. Sides of the characters that they hide from everyone else, except each other. It’s interesting, and I’m glad this chapter gave me a chance to explore new sides of these two hardened characters who have history and still care about each other despite one taking a different path from the other. I hope I get the chance to do this again in the future, as well as with other characters. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.