When I wake up in the morning, I'm slightly confused. I don't recognize where I am. It isn't my mattress underneath me. But it's only a few seconds before I know where I am. I roll my eyes at my own momentary lapse.
I can hear Ravana and Lief talking lightly in the other room. I sit up, checking my watch. It's six-thirty. I usually open shop at six. Well, I guess I'm behind. Whatever.
When Lief and Ravana come out, Ravana is complaining about something I don't totally understand. While also trying to do Lief's hair while he's moving.
"God's sake," Lief says, not apologizing when Ravana winces, "You're the one who offered to teach him. And you know your head is worse."
The demon scowls. "Yes, but his thoughts crowd me. It's really... Oh, I don't know how to explain it. And he gets so jealous!"
"Arden, would you like some toast?"
I nod nervously, watching as Ravana finishes up Lief's hair and pulls away.
"What's up with you guys?" I ask.
"My former apprentice, whom Ravana is teaching demonic magic in his dreams. Azarius. He's taken my place as the mage for the colony."
"And his thoughts are irritating. It's all strong taste and I can't deal with that much input at once."
Lief, at my confused look, explains, "He senses everyone's thoughts differently. For Aza, it's taste. For me, it's texture and sound."
"What about for me?" I ask.
"Visual text," he says, "quite standard."
"Standard?"
"Common. Most people appear that way. But your's displays differently, it goes straight towards everyone else's minds instead of staying in your own. Perhaps that's why your mind also houses Lief's consciousness."
I'm slightly relieved. I was worried this would be another thing where I was exactly like any old non-mage in the street. I don't need another thing like that.
"I have to head off to the forge. Ravana will go with you to check out your car," Lief says, handing me two pieces of toast with raspberry jam on and cramming his own in his mouth, "Stay safe."
He leaves very swiftly, and Ravana starts making his own food, a sandwich with an excessive amount of meat rather than breakfast.
"I don't know much about cars," he says, "But I can probably teleport it to a location if it can't be fixed with magic."
"I could fix it if I had a tire."
"I'll duplicate one of the good ones, then."
We start the walk there while still eating. I can't help but be made nervous by his sharp teeth. He seems like he could bite through anybody's flesh very easily.
"Thank you," he says, his tone only slightly humorous.
Okay, now I am having thoughts I don't
want to be having around a mind reader. I try to suppress them. He has the good grace to ignore them.
"So, what's hell like?" I ask abruptly.
Ravana was yawning while I asked the question, and again my eyes are drawn to his teeth.
"Oh, you know... pretty regular climate-wise, I suppose. It's not really well known, but all mages end up there. Isn't a secret either."
"Right. Good to know."
"I used to be a mage," Ravana says, "I don't remember what it was like, though."
"Oh. So you're...?"
"Dead? Yeah. But really it's more like I'm in my second life. Lief likes to argue with me about it because I try to get out of things by saying he's ruining my death."
I laugh. I don't feel as uneasy beside Ravana now, though I do have a lot more questions.
"So, you and Lief, what's up with that?"
"Who knows. He's a very complicated fellow."
"So you aren't dating?"
"Kind of? Like I said, it's complicated."
"So you're technically single?"
Yeah, okay, maybe Lief was right that I would find him attractive too. Mostly I'm just teasing, though--he's very dangerous looking and he obviously cares deeply for Lief. I'm glad he can hear my thoughts at this point, it probably would be bad if he took the sort of stuff I blurt out seriously.
"Yes, technically. But I'm trying not to mess around for if Lief falls in love with me."
I snort. "He doesn't seem very interested in love."
"He is. But he's demiromantic and purposefully oblivious towards his emotions. He'll figure it out eventually, and I can wait as long as I need."
I'm pretty sure demiromantic is the one where people take a long time to figure out or fall in love. They have to know people a long time. But they can still feel sexual attraction.
"You really care about him," I observe.
Ravana looks at me like that should be obvious. I roll my eyes. It's not like I can read minds. I see him nod in the corner of my vision.
"Sorry. So, how is your business going?" he asks.
"Great."
He knows I'm lying. Obviously.
"I would be willing to teach you a little demonic magic if you like. Just a few showy spells to catch people's eyes. With Lief sitting in so he can verify I'm not tricking you."
I frown, focusing on the road ahead. I can see my car now. It looks to have some spray paint on it, but doesn't seem broken into.
"Someone gave you a new paint job," Ravana says, too amused for my liking.
"Let me check tire pressure to figure out which you should duplicate."
Ravana props himself on one leg and waits. I get into the car and check the pressure guage. Then I show him which one. It takes five minutes to complete the duplication, and then he sits and watches me change the tire.
"Can I hitch a ride with you into the city? I have to go to the store and it's hard to use magic both ways."
"Sure. I mean, it's the least I can do, right?"
"Yes. And it would be useful for Lief and I to know where your shop is. I can probably transfer the memories if I keep a clear enough head."
I frown. "Aren't mages supposed to have clear heads?"
I remember Lief saying something about his mind earlier, too. He gets in my passenger seat, ducking his horns, and I get behind the wheel.
"Yes, they are. But unfortunately, I don't. I think I used to be pretty clear-headed before death... Of course, I've always been very sensitive to stimulus so it is difficult for me. Like, clothing being too itchy and the like. So I'm sure I had trouble with that, but the inside of my mind is... probably changed since death."
"What happens if somebody else tries to read your mind? Since you're a mind reader?"
He sighs. "I have my hands full with all you mages and your questions, hm?"
"Are you avoiding the question?"
Ravana rolls his eyes. "I don't know, the last person to try was traumatized. I don't think there's too much going on in there, but I suppose it's a mess."
"You should talk to a psychic. Maybe they can give you tips on how to fix that."
He laughs. "Right, sure, brilliant. How long is this drive?"
"Like, two hours."
He groans. I glance sideways at him.
"We don't have to talk if you don't want."
"It'll be fine if you don't interrogate me."
I focus on the road. This one isn't very well paved, since it's old.
"What's this Azarius guy I keep hearing about really like?"
Ravana hums. "He's alright. A bit in love with Lief, though. Even though he has a bloody boyfriend."
"Maybe he's polyamorous."
"Maybe I should bring that up to him. Though I suspect that wouldn't work very well with Lief involved. Hopefully."
"What, you don't like sharing?"
"I'd do whatever Lief wanted. I just get worried where the silent one is involved. He hates me, he could try to pull Lief away from me."
"I doubt he actually hates you if he knows you. You don't seem very hateable."
"One of the first things I did upon meeting him was get hair so I could curse him as insurance."
"Yeah that's not cool."
Ravana slouches against the window, pouting in the corner of my eye. It's sort of cute, weirdly.
"Can you shut your thoughts up for five minutes?"
"I'll try my best."
-
When I get to the store, Rachel is leaning against the wall. Ravana gets out of the car with me, immediately catching her attention.
I ignore it and start opening shop. "Sorry, Ray, I had a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Ravana, do you want to look around the shop a bit while we open?"
He tilts his head. "Sure. Are you going to introduce us?"
I wave him off. "You're adults, I'm sure you can manage without me. I have to make sure everything is in order."
I walk past and hear Rachel take charge of the introductions. "What are you doing with my boss, anyway?"
"I helped fix their car in exchange for a ride into the city. I have to go to the store."
"Also I'm actively considering ways to steal him from his partner," I interject after I'm sure nothing is out of place.
"Of course you are. Anything else I should know?"
"He reads minds."
Rachel frowns. "Really?"
"Don't worry, unlike Arden your thoughts stick in your head so I can choose to mind my business," Ravana says, shooting me a glare.
"Sorry my thoughts are so annoying and I can't help babygirlifying old men."
"You are a lot different in your shop."
"Yeah, they put on their 'boss' alter ego. I swear, when we went out for drinks once it shocked me."
"And my drinking me is different too," I point out.
"You like to keep things seperate, like a child at dinnertime."
"Rude, Ravana, very rude."
He blinks at me. "I should go to the store, I don't want Lief to be upset when he gets home. I told him I would restock."
"Okay, have fun at--"
Ravana mutters a word in another language and disappears. Rachel and I both stare at where he used to stand.
"Did he just teleport?"
"I guess? Him and Lief are pretty skilled with magic. They aren't legal citizens, though..."
"You want me to get them papers."
"Just Lief. Whenever he shows up. Ravana doesn't mind being illegal."
"Who is this Lief guy? How did you meet these people?"
I wave it off. "Lief is a mage from some colony, he's incredibly skilled and very intimidating, Ravana is... I don't know, a demon he summoned that he now lives with? They're sort of married but technically not even dating."
"But how did you meet?"
"Don't worry about it. Can you go make sure the sign says open?"