Lalita kicked the dust up before her as she continued walking towards the town with Kali. This was a larger port town. One where she would be able to get transport to be taken back home, and possibly even write ahead so that she could reassure her family that she would be returning soon enough. It had been a few weeks since she had been rescued by the tall orc – Kali. Though if she was realistic, she wouldn't have been rescued. She had been lucky that her kidnappers had thought to attack what they had thought was a defenceless orc – who happened to be a powerful necromancer. She clearly dabbled in dark magic. 

Lalita never knew where she stood with her. She always got the sense that she was distant, and did not want to get close to anyone. She glanced at Kali who was walking a few steps ahead of her. 

“I’m looking forward to sleeping on a soft bed,” Lalita said out loud. Kali looked at her, her brow raised.

“How do you plan on paying for that?

“With my coin.” Kali grunted in response, not saying anymore. 

“Are you still upset about that?” Kali did not respond, instead she saw a deeper frown form on her face – she was pouting. Lalita could not help but giggle at the endearing response.

“I’m certain I can arrange a reward once I’m home.”

“You want me to escort you all the way to the city?”

“Unless you know another way to give a nomad a reward, yes.” Kali made a noise – which she assumed was her agreeing to the proposal. It made her happy to know that she was going to get to spend more time with Kali. The miserable necromancer had wormed her way into her heart. She was aware that there would be no future for this relationship but she wanted to enjoy the perverted nature that Kali brought out in her. She was a possessive woman, something she had noticed when they were both in the last town. She let her actions speak what she refused to say. Chewing on her lower lip, she knew how she was planning to bring out that green-eyed monster in her.

The smell of saltwater hung in the air as they entered the town. It was bustling, Lalita could not help but smile as she recognised where they were. She had joined her father here a few years ago on a social visit. Her family had a well maintained apartment that she had visited several times in the past. She could not remember the exact location but she knew she could find that out easily.

“Kali, I know this town. My family has an apartment here.”

“You’re from this town?” 

Lalita shook her head. “No, father is regularly here to deal with business. We’ll need to go to the local treasury or guard to find out the address.” Kali pondered this, making a motion she began leading them in a direction before pausing.

“We should eat first.”

She blew on the paper, hoping for the ink to dry a little faster. She had finished her meal with Kali – she had poussin with steamed vegetables. Real food that you did not get whilst on the road constantly. She was however put off by the frosty attitude she had received when entering the establishment; they had suggested she could not afford a meal here. Lalita wiped the quill nib on a napkin, setting it to the side gently as she folded the parchment,  holding wax in a spoon over the open flame of a candle. Pouring it on the parchment, she removed her signet ring and sealed it with her family crest. Leaving just enough coin on the table, she stood up and made her way to the exit. Kali had remained silent the entire time, was she uncomfortable in this establishment? She had noticed the staff and patrons staring at Kali a lot, and she had a few nasty stares herself. She did not understand why. 

Lalita waited in the queue at the post office. Kali had chosen to stand to the side, her expression growing sourer with each passing second. If she was aiming for people to avoid her, she was succeeding. Approaching the desk, she saw the postman was a young and handsome man. Judging by his expression, he clearly found her attractive. 

“What can I do for you, miss?” Lalita smiled shyly, holding out her parchment. He reached out and took it from her, his hand brushing against hers. She looked away, a smile still on her lips.

“I’d like to send this letter, please.” He nodded, taking a look at the address, he consulted his ledger and informed her of the price. She handed him over the cost for postage.

“Was there anything else,” he paused, licking his lips before he continued. “I can help you with, miss?” Lalita thought about it, the only thing she needed now was the address of her family's apartment.

“There is a problem you could help me with.” She leaned forward, her hand trailing down her neck to her collar, she was aware that his gaze was following her hand, her fingers dipping lower, over the curve of her breast. “You’d be ever so kind if you could help me find my Khan's home.”

His gaze lingered before he nodded his head and flicked through his ledger, muttering the name. His finger landed on it and he scribbled the address down on a sheet of scrap parchment for her. That was a lot easier than she had expected it to be, everything else on her journey had been tedious. Thanking the man with a wide smile, she rushed out of the shop. She could get a cab to her home, she’d be able to take a proper bath and have the servants pamper her. She was feeling hopeful, she took a step forward before she felt a firm hand on her shoulder, looking back, she saw Kali who was still wearing a sour expression. Turning she grasped Kali’s large hand in hers and excitedly spoke.

“Kali, I have the address to my family's apartment.” She looked at how large Kali’s hand looked on her own. “We could get a cab.” She watched Kali frown, she pulled away from her, scratching the back of her neck. 

Lalita stared at Kali's broad back as they walked down the market. Her shoulders drooped as she stared at Kali; it was clear to her that she was procrastinating as they left yet another stall without purchasing anything. Puffing up her chest, she stepped away from Kali. 

"I'm starting to suspect you don't want to escort me to my home." Kali's golden orbs pierced her, the bags under her eyes looked heavy. She looked away from her, her shoulders tensing before they drooped.  

"Fine." Kali held out her hand. Lalita took her hand, lacing her fingers between hers. Kali raised a brow, staring at her. "I want the address." 

Lalita's cheeks warmed, she let go of her hand and pulled out the parchment with the address on it. Kali took it, her gaze boring into it. She began moving in a direction.

"Wait, Kali." She chased after her, continuing as she spoke. "We could get a cab?" 

"Waste of money." Kali continued walking, with purpose. She led her down a lot of winding streets.

"Are you familiar with this port?"

"It's changed since I was last here." 

Kali stopped outside a magnificent building rising several stories high. It had tall slender windows that were adorned with decorative stone, and had embellishes going all the way up to the upper levels. They had moved from the shoddily kept buildings to the ones where those with money lived. Lalita could not help but smile at the familiar site of the building. 

She did not wait, Lalita rushed up to the entrance, she had no issues gaining access to the front door. Turning back to motion for Kali to follow her. She paused seeing no one on the street, she glanced around to see where Kali had gone but she had disappeared from sight. She hesitated, moving back into the road, she could not see her. Calling her name she got no response. This was why Kali was hesitant in returning her here. 

It meant goodbye without even saying it.