The Fourth Zaldizko 16 Dionysus Ambry Keeper

"Aah, so that's what happened. Wow, that's a fascinating story Small Cap." Chirped a melodic deep voice.

I groggily sat up and smacked feeling back into my lips, still tasting a bitter tang from the c.o.c.ktail I had made. Since I had made it, I wasn't drunk as I made sure my alcoholic content was zip. Otherwise, I wouldn't wake until close to midday.

"Um, Small Cap, who are you talking to." I yawned.

_"Morning Freend. I be talking to new Freend bird."_ Small Cap excitedly answered in my mind.

I blinked in the sight of a golden hairy huntsman spider perched on a box window sill before a slender yellow canary bird that had a strip of rainbow ribbon wrapped around its neck like a winter scarf.

"Freend bird?" I gasped.

"Howdy-doodly-do my virile young man!" The canary chirped a polite greeting to me.

It flew from the sill to perch on the bed before me. I raised my brows at its flourished bow behind one wing.

"I trust Young Master and Lover had a good nights sleep," it said happily, blinking its black orbish eyes with its form of a wink.

"Um, you're more friendly than the last canary I met." I soberly commented. "Hang on, did you just say lover?"

"Of course. This room is no stranger to forbidden moments of pa.s.sion between lovers. Aah, the sweet sounds of merrymaking I'm blessed to hear from my Ambry Port." The weird bird confirmed the room's purpose with a blissful sigh.

"Woah! No, no, no! Death is my brother not my lover." I corrected it. "We were kicked out of our room by a psycho ambry bird. This room was on offer."

"Let me guess. Those Ambries on Level 2, right?" The canary soberly asked, almost spitting out his words.

"Well, yeah, the floor above." I carefully answered.

"Those barbaric Miner Ambries will never change." Its eyes narrowed before sighing off its dark feelings and resuming its chirpy att.i.tude.

"Well. I am Dionysus. In this room, clothing is optional." Dionysus winked again. "Shall I stow your clothing and possessions, so you can be possessed by your lover in thralls of body harmony?"

"Oh for Pete's sake. Death is my brother. My brother! There'll be no merrymaking or body harmony going on here, got it?" I frowned with a thought. "How is it that you can be here without us clapping you in?"

Dionysus chuckled coyly behind a preened wing. "Silly. Who does that? We can leave our Ambry Ports at any time, to ensure the room is in tip-top condition and precious objects belonging to our room masters are well-kept."

"I knew that ritual was baloney." Death groaned when he sat up.

I chuckled at the sight of Death's ridiculous bed-hair spiking up at weird angles from various positions he had slept in.

"I've been wondering. How is it that you can talk? Is it via Semblance Magic?" Death quizzed the bird.

"Of course! How else would I speak your language? We Ambries have been blessed with rare forms of magic, in particular Semblance Telepathy that allows us to communicate in the native tongue of any organic life form." Dionysus proudly answered Death's question.

"Wow, that's amazing." I expelled with awe that seemed to ruffle up Dionysus feathers with more pride.
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Dionysus sighed. "However, our powers are only bound to the room we govern."

"So, if you were to leave the room?"

"I'll be just another common pretty bird." Dionysus looked downcast. "It gets lonely when no masters are about. You both are the first ones to sleep here for a very long time. I can't remember when the last Room Master was here."

Its sad expression was making Death and myself feel terrible for it.

"Hey Famine. How about we make this our room for a while?" Death spoke to my thought.

"I was about to say the same thing." I nodded.

I felt sure that was why Trix had taken us here.

We flashed Dionysus a smile and received a brighter one from him in response.

"Excellent! Well. Let's start our merry life together by getting you Lazy Bones out of that bed if you're not going to be romping around in it." Dionysus brightened.

Death and I flinch at the piercing squawk coming from Dionysus.

"Okay!" I hurried out of bed.

Death stretched his body next to me.

Dionysus stopped squawking and flapped his wings to stir up starlight about the bed covers. Within an instant, the bed was made.

"Ooh." I clapped, impressed.

"Thank you, Young Room Master."

"I'm Famine." I introduced myself.

"Death." Death gave his name.

"Nice to meet you Dionysus. Please take care of us." He bowed cordially before the bird.

"Oh my! What to do? This is the first time young masters have greeted me with such respect. I'm so happy!" Dionysus flapped its wings excitedly.

"Good young masters get special treatment." It winked.

We spent some time dressing. Dionysus showed us the inbuilt water closet that contained a washlet basin, sink and small bath tub.

I laughed when Death cranked the washlet basin's handle too much, releasing a force of warm air up his backside that sent him flying into the opposite wall. Dionysus groaned when he cleaned up the excreted mess, complaining about men shouldn't need to be potty trained again. Death ignored any and all slights as he cleaned himself up.

With Dionysus's help, the both of us were impeccably styled men when we left the room.

Small Cap had decided to stay behind and take advantage of the choice tree spots Dionysus had pointed out to him from the window during their conversation. I was glad he could be a spider again and roam freely.

"Well, I'm glad we have a room now," Death said as we moved through the bar area.

Both of us paused near the stools close to the gla.s.s door when we saw Leinard and Trix at a set near the door at the other end. They were having a drink.

"Colonel." My heart picked up with hope.

He was still wearing the same navy-blue uniform from when we were in the labyrinth. Some of the gold b.u.t.tons of his double-breasted jacket were missing or unable to hook into the mangled silver clasps, so the jacket was unb.u.t.toned to reveal his navy-blue waistcoat and white cotton s.h.i.+rt. His slacks were ripped along seams near his calf-length black boots; solid, large hands were free from his white gloves. His belt sheath lacked his longsword and his colonel hat was missing from his head. Seeing his clean cut brown hair, with fringe swept to one side of his clean-shaven face, made him appear younger.

My heart raced when he lifted his head and flashed me an awkward smile. Although he was Trix's twin brother, I found Leinard's striking image of austerity with his symmetrical cheekbones and nose, smooth lips and sober grey eyes more alluring.

It took all my will to hold back my urge to hold him in my arms with a rea.s.suring hug.

I was too busy staring at Leinard that I barely noticed Death and Trix observing us from the side lines.

"Um, how are you feeling?" I timidly asked.

My cursed heart beats pounded against my chest when his eyes locked onto mine.

"I'm fine thank you," he answered apathetically and turned his attention back to the drink he was nursing.

My heart skipped a beat with disappointment. Did I just get dismissed?

"Oh, okay. Well, I have to see War." I mumbled.

I hurriedly patted his back and raced out of the bar area. Not stopping until I was back in the drawing room that Death and I had almost camped out in. I gripped my waistcoat near my heart, pressing into my chest to dull the pain I felt. c.r.a.p. I really liked Leinard. It hurt. I wanted to hug away his pains, but at the same time I couldn't. Especially when he easily dismissed me back there.

"Ah, you're Famine, aren't you? Well, I have a proposition for you. Could you lend me your ear?" A wise male voice greeted me from the archway.

I turned to the sound of the voice and saw a familiar face.