When I wake again, Master Naga is speaking in low voices to people just outside the doorway.

I rub my eyes blearily, cool air twisting around my form as I slip out from under the blankets, pulling my clothes on from where they had been discarded on the floor last night. Despite my image of nonchalance, my heart is pounding with the knowledge that I slept through a knock at the door. My master had to get the door himself.

Shameful.

"Master Naga, shall I go get hot water to serve your company?"

There's still a grain of sleep in my voice, scratching over my vocal cords.

He shakes his head, not looking back.

My feet whisper over the floorboards as I make my way to the wall where I stand ready for orders. 

Without longstanding orders other than eating at least one meal a day, the periods between completing my short-term commands are left in an awkward state of limbo. At the shrine, Master said I was free to do as I pleased once I was done cleaning, but here, I am unsure how much slack there is on my leash.

In the past, my masters gave me commands like listen inconspicuously when I have company so you can identify any threats or don't listen when I have company unless I call for you because it's a private conversation. As such, I'm trapped in an uncomfortable limbo in which I fear punishment for listening in without permission but also fearing punishment for not listening in case Master has questions about the content of their conversation or because I missed a threat to his personage.

My highest priority is Master Naga's safety, that's a default command, but to what extent is the concern.

"Shiori." Master Naga's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts.

I keep my eyes down as I bow lightly. "Yes, Master Naga?"

A pale hand waves me closer out of my periphery. "No need to be so formal; you know our guests."

I blink in surprise, gaze flitting up quickly to assess the truth in his statement.

Two smiling girls and three scowling boys crowd in the hall. Spirits from the island?

He nods, gripping my wrist lightly to tug me to his side.

"I called them here to help bring life back to the forest. Once the animal populations have stabilized they'll return."

The group stares at Master Naga's hand where it rests on my wrist while the girls whisper to each other.

"Naga." The tallest boy asks, a gruff sort of awkwardness in his tone, "I uh...if we were interrupting you could have had us come back.

The silence draws on. Master Naga's polite grin is still gracing his lips, but the air feels rather chilled. The boy doesn't seem to notice the change, nor do the four around him. They don't backtrack or rescind their comment despite the increasingly frigid air.

Could he feel uncomfortable with the suggestion that he's used me in such a way?

"Master Naga allowed me to sleep for a bit after completing my reconnaissance assignment this morning. My apologies for not waking up when you arrived."

My voice is soft, serene, just the voice I use to placate disgruntled guests. Electricity is woven through the sound, vibrating silently through the air as it calms the air around them, letting each breath disarm their concerns.

Master Naga watches silently as his spirits fall into a lull before I take a small step back, returning to my place behind him.

They still look dazed as he sends them off, but it shouldn't last long before they return to their fully active selves, and there won't be any ill effects, so I'm not too concerned. Master Naga looks less dissatisfied now, the polite smile on his lips sinking back into its perpetual blankness.

He spins to face me.

"Now that the repopulation of the forest has been ordered, we should head back to the island. We'll have to report the smuggling ring to the council."

My eyes widen from their fix on the floor. When he says the council...he means the council of the gods, doesn't he?

"Will I also be giving a report, Master Naga?" My voice is unbothered, but my gut is churning. Arranged with the gods with the highest level of worship but no regard for purpose or temperament, the council of the gods is said to have some very interesting characters who have no regard for the life of a mortal should their report be something they don't want to hear.

It would be truly troublesome if I was to be killed and Master Naga shamed for my incompetence.

"No." His declaration is sharper than I expected, and I barely quiet a flinch. "I can give the report, just be sure to give me all of the information beforehand and stay close by in case they ask something we didn't discuss."

I nod as he strides toward me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

Ah, so we're going back right now then. I hate this method of travel.

Between my exhaustion and the strain of transport, I've only got the strength to prevent one of two outcomes: Vomiting all over Master Naga's robes, or staying conscious.

I choose the lesser of two evils and succumb to the darkness.

My eyes widen from their fix on the floor. When he says the council...he means the council of the gods, doesn't he?

"Will I also be giving a report, Master Naga?" My voice is unbothered, but my gut is churning. Arranged with the gods with the highest level of worship but no regard for purpose or temperament, the council of the gods is said to have some very interesting characters who have no regard for the life of a mortal should their report be something they don't want to hear.

It would be truly troublesome if I was to be killed and Master Naga shamed for my incompetence.

"No." His declaration is sharper than I expected, and I barely quiet a flinch. "I can give the report, just be sure to give me all of the information beforehand and stay closeby in case they ask something we didn't discuss."

I nod as he strides toward me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

Ah, so we're going back right now then. I hate this method of travel.

between my exhaustion and the strain of transport, I've only got the strength to prevent one of two outcomes: Vomiting all over Master Naga's robes, or staying conscious.

I choose the lesser of two evils and succumb to the darkness.