Elith. He was Yimir's younger brother, by a single year. Training as a guard rather than a hunter. We'd never gotten along in the slightest, admittedly. Younger me didn't know the reasons why and tried to smooth things over with him two years ago when I first started hanging out with Yimir. I may as well have just run my face into a stone wall a few times.
Magic was one of those polarizing topics for a lot of people in Aion. Younger me didn't understand that very well either. I never really gave much thought to the Demon War, but it really was the most important event in the last two thousand years. Well, a little over that now. Two thousand two hundred odd years ago, we were all slaves to a species called Demons. All we have are drawn images of them now, but they were upright, bipedal creatures without fur. They maintained... large sexual assets of both genders, horns, a wingspan large enough to fly, and some pretty nasty claws. But the actual horrific aspect about them was they seemed to be able to bend reality to their will.
They wielded magic, and used it to take absolute control over all of Aion. Most of the other species were either barely sapient, or pre-sapient when they started `elevating' us artificially in order to serve as slaves. The Inaga were first, though I wasn't entirely sure why. Maybe as an experiment to see if they could? We didn't exactly have much in the way of written records back that far, given the Demons weren't exactly interested in recording our history.
Vulkus followed, based off our template. Large, powerful, and perfect for manual labor and martial purposes. They made for good guards for the Demons, at least until the Gar came along. Keld were after that and they tried something new there. Domestic servants. Sleek and pretty to look at. Skilled in art and crafting. Then came the Gar.
I say `came', but I'm not really sure where from. The template was entirely new, and the Gar are so radically different from anything else we've seen in Aion, it's almost like they were taken from another Realm entirely. Scaled shapeshifters, they jump between two forms. The first being a sleek and sexy Demon-like form that's bipedal. Made to be artificially pleasing to look at by the Demons, they have large assets and very similar forms. Their other form however, is assumed to be their original one. On all fours, their arms lengthen and become proper legs, as thick as tree trunks and capped with scythe-like claws. Powerful muscles ripple through them and their necks elongate. Wings made of pure energy allow them limited flight, and their tail thickens out, completing a far more feral, powerful look. They're also staggeringly huge, especially in their quadrupedal form. Like, the size of a train car, huge. In that form, they were referred to as `Dragons'.
They had a lot of unique properties. For one, no vita. They ran purely on mana instead, making them potentially extremely powerful magic users. Secondly, they had an innate ability to negate magic, and had a limited form of it up on themselves at all times. That made them extremely effective against the Demons themselves, and they were trained up as bodyguards and elite guards. The Demons assumed the only thing they had to fear were other Demons at that point. That turned out to be... not entirely accurate.
Other species present in Aion weren't elevated by the Demons, but by the surface-species instead. In their massive, gravity-defying cities, the Demons didn't really care about the surface world all that much, except for pilfering slaves on occasion from the `barely sapient' tribes they left dwelling down here. The surface was also their disposal site, however, for all manner of equipment, garbage, and materials. We weren't quite as pre-sapient as they thought, however, and started taking the things they discarded and using them ourselves. Including elevating several other species who were already at the cusp, or extremely close to sapience already.
The war was brewing for a long while, but we Inaga ignited the conflict when we not only made the Gar realize the Demons had been manipulating them, but also freed them from Demonic control. Overnight, the Demons suddenly realized they'd filled their cities with extremely powerful creatures specifically designed to kill them. Hubris and all that. On top of that, the surface tribes had organized and created a surprisingly large and sophisticated army, equipped from lesser versions of the Demons' own discarded technology. Between our sheer numbers, and the power of our new allies, the Demons fell. They were hunted to the last, and absolutely wiped off the surface of Aion.
Their legacy remained though, long after the last of their floating cities and fortresses had fallen to the surface. Magic. We took it from them and adapted it for our own use. Knowledge of Alchemy and metals too. But one doesn't just undo thousands of years of slavery and abuse overnight. There's a significant portion of Aion who associate magic with the Demons, and feel we never should have started using it ourselves. Magic was corruptive, powerful, dangerous, and unknown to them. It was something to be feared. I felt I held a more... educated outlook, about it being a powerful and useful tool, but two years ago, I underestimated exactly how headstrong someone of the other opinion could be.
The fact that I'd introduced magic to his older sister, who took to it like breathing, really didn't help matters. I'd `corrupted' her and was doing unspeakable things to her mind. He tried for moons to convince her not to pursue it, and try to keep her away from me. It may have instead made her pursue it all the harder, of course. And maybe pursue me too. He hated me. I was as bad as a Demon to him. So, it honestly didn't surprise me at all that, seeing what he did, he decided to cave my nose in with a slab of metal. That didn't stop him from being a complete asshole fuckface, but I could at least see where he was coming from.
My eyes fluttered open again slowly. I think I'd been in and out of it quite a few times now but it was hard to chronologically order things. Naming conventions were usually pretty simple and straightforward in Aion, and numbroot was amazing stuff. Extracted and diffused into various specific elements, it could do some pretty targeted things. Like the cream I made quite frequently, especially during Estrus, that could dull sexual urges. Worked for both genders pretty well, and I'm pretty sure it was the only reason ten-year-old me got through all those female medical exams without a constant boner.
When kept to its more generic, broad-spectrum diffusion, you get what they more than likely gave me. I felt... heavy. Warm and sleepy. Even my breathing felt relaxed. This time I glanced around the room a bit more. I recognized the recovery section of the healing tent easily enough, having worked in here plenty. We had bed mats along the wall, one of which I now occupied, and the shelve brackets were packed with recovery supplies. It was night now, by the fact that the lanterns were on instead and giving everything an orange glow. Everything was kind of hazy though, and I shifted my head a little, only to find that I couldn't. Uh...
My arms still functioned, albeit slowly, so I felt up around my neck and found myself in a brace. Oh. Right, I vaguely recalled going face first into the sand at a forty-five-degree angle, with my ass stuck in the tent, propped up by the foundation. I probably sprained something. More pawing of my face revealed bandages around my muzzle, and another brace on my lower jaw. And there were the broken bones! I probably would have been disappointed otherwise. A bit of magic danced into my paws, and I formed a scan for myself as I rested there instead.
Three fractures along my muzzle, and my jaw was broken. Though it oddly looked partly healed already. Even with regeneratives... I glanced around again, then gave a sigh. It was night, but probably not night of the same day as when I got injured, then. Damn it.
Movement caught my eye a second later, and the section flap opened, leading into the main area. My ears perked as Ginna entered a moment later, in her nurse apron. She perked too, then grinned as she saw me looking at her. ``Awake more fully now? You don't look high this time...''
I huffed at that, then tested my voice anyway. ``Sorda...? Hard to talk with dis brace on...'' Well, better than nothing. She gave a giggle, then nodded, setting down the tray she was carrying and padding over to where I lay. She looked over the readouts, on the monitor hooked up to me, then nodded to herself.
``Everything seems in order. No pain or anything? We had to put you on some pretty strong medicine for regeneration thanks to the neck injury, so we also upped the pain medicine.''
I slowly shook my head to that, as best I could with just moving my shoulders a bit. ``No, no pain. How mahny dayth...?''
``This is day two in the hospital. Well, night now. You were injured not yesterday but the day before. Master Chronak's been tending to you, which really sped things along, though he's not very happy about any of it.'' Oh boy.
``Whads been happening...?'' I asked. Were there any repercussions at all for him just braining me out of nowhere?
Ginna gave a low whistle at that, however. ``That's a complicated question. A lot's been happening. What happened has been the talk of the tribe, and everyone seems to have an opinion on it. Worse yet, it's started... Well, some people are very opinionated, as you know...''
I snorted and rolled my eyes at that, then winced as it ached a little to do so. Right. Muzzle... She gave a knowing, sympathetic smile my way before nodding again. ``There's a lot of people upset over him doing that. It was brought to the attention of the Elders almost immediately, as he broke quite a few guard tenets. Attacking an unarmed civilian, attacking someone who yielded, attacking without proper justification, excessive use of force... All without being on duty or reporting it in first. It's a mess...''
Admittedly, I had no idea about the tenets of the guard. I knew they were put forth by Laridia, and based on a more universal set promoted by the alliance. Aion took its guard duty, and the pledges guards take, very seriously. All I knew about the specifics though was what I heard Exir talk about from his own training.
I frowned lightly after. ``Whads gonna happen, then...?'' That was the real question.
That, she shook her head to. ``I don't know. Last I knew, the council was still discussing it. I...'' She hesitated, frowning as she searched my expression carefully, ears lowering a little. Uh, that didn't seem good... She gave a little exhale after, then shook her head again. ``No, I don't know who's going to be in to talk to you first, and... you need to be informed. It's only right.''
``That gud?'' I tried to resist groaning, and she gave a tired chuckle and shrug.
``It's not good, no. At least half the camp is siding with you, and putting pressure on the Elders.'' Wait, what? That means half the camp wasn't siding with me...? She seemed to catch my surprised look and nodded, expression shifting a bit grim. ``I mean... I can kind of understand but... His family, Matron Irikis, has instead turned around and put forth statements to defend his actions instead. I'm... almost entirely certain she's doing it because she wants to try to lessen the accusations against him. If they stand as-is, the Elders are going to notify the capital, and they'll more than likely investigate it as a criminal offense. Which means he risks dismissal from the guard and indentured servitude, being taken away from the tribe.'' Oh. Statements... defending his actions?
She gave another sigh, then carried on however. ``They instead released statements stating that it looked, within reasonable doubt, like you were raping Yimir. So thus, his actions were justified.'' What...? I stared at her, fairly certain that if my jaw hadn't been locked in a brace, it would have dropped open entirely there. ``They only said appeared, not that you were raping her. And she released an entirely separate statement saying that it was consensual, but... The other half of the camp that hates magic seems to have already jumped to conclusions over the first statement. There's a lot of people saying you should be investigated too.'' What... the fuck?!
I had absolutely no words. What do you even say to that?! They actually... Irikis actually... My mind whirled until I felt dizzy, and Ginna gently rubbed one of my shoulders, giving another sympathetic grimace. ``I know, Exes. It's total bullshit. Everyone who knows you, knows they're just throwing you in front of the caravan's ella in order to try to save Elith. Now tensions are... unpleasantly high in camp, as a lot of arguments over both sides have already broken out. If this keeps up, the Elders are going to have to contact the capital just to try to keep the peace.'' Fuck them! Let the capital `investigate' me. I'd willingly do a mind scan at this point, and then those assholes could eat shit!
I felt the heat drift into my cheeks as my eyes narrowed a little. They flat out betrayed me. So much for all their `practically family' bullshit. Their dumbass son with the intelligence and mannerisms of a fucking rock blatantly attacked me, and they're taking his side?! She winced at my expression, and I shivered for a moment before closing my eyes. Fuck!
Deep breaths. Deep... I exhaled softly, ears lowering as my eyes opened again. Well, that was that, then. Even if Yimir officially said I wasn't raping her, they wouldn't believe it anyway, because she's `corrupted' by me. Memory magic could reveal the truth behind what happened, but that was magic, and thus corrupt too. We mages all looked out for each other, after all. There was no defense here. I was already guilty to them. And in order for Irikis' defense to stick, they'd have to keep sticking to that statement. Which meant my relationship with them was officially over. Which meant my relationship with Yimir was over. Practically before it began.
Maybe it was the medicine, or maybe my body just wasn't ready for intense bouts of rage, but now I just felt tired again. Ginna sighed, then gave a little bow. ``I'm sorry, Exes. But you deserved to be informed, just in case Irikis or Yimir try to visit you. I'm firmly on your side of things, and I don't want them trying to manipulate you or something. I wouldn't put it past Irikis, at least...'' Her expression shifted almost bitter at that, and I sighed again before giving her a nod.
``Danks, Ginna. For Everyding.''
That got her to smile and nod at least, before she turned and headed towards the separation's entrance again. ``Don't mention it, Exes. I'm going to go let people know you're more awake now, then I'll be back to wash you up...'' Oh, right. I looked over to the tray she brought in and noticed the cleaning supplies on it. Ugh. It was amazing how... fast everything could be completely obliterated...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was a good hour before I had any visitors anyway. Thankfully it was my mother and sister. It was a bit strange hearing them call my mom in as `Umani', admittedly. She was obviously my only mother, so I just called her `mom' all the time. I suppose in other species, who tended to have more than one mother instead of father, they'd use their actual names.
Exia all but pounced me, of course. ``Bro! Thank the gods you're okay! The next time I see that little prick, I'm going to see if I can tickle the inside of his throat with his balls in one kick!'' Well, that was needlessly descriptive. While I felt the same, I also at least partly sympathized, having balls myself.
She gave a little `hrk' noise as mom slipped in behind her and grabbed her by the scruff instead. ``No, you won't, Exia. Behave...'' The words, and gesture of grabbing her there, caused Exia to deflate immediately and gently nod instead. There's instinct for you.
``Yes mother. I'm just... frustrated. Anyone who knows Exes, knows this is bullshit...'' Where did that term even come from? I knew a male megama or ella was called a `bull', but why was their shit in particular something fake or unappealing? ...okay, so they might have given me more pain medicine.
Mom nodded there. ``I know. And the truth will come out, Exia. Everyone will see that Exes didn't do anything wrong. For now, though, we need to make sure he gets better...'' She let Exia go after, and smiled to me instead, sitting down to the right of my bed while Exia snuggled up against my chest.
Thankfully I'd gotten a bit more practice talking with this brace on. ``I'm doing better, Mom. The medicine is helping a lot, I think. My mind's still whirling over everything that's happening but...'' My ears lowered a little and I sighed, which got an extra nuzzle from Exia instead.
``I take it they told you what Elith's family was doing...?'' Her tone made her disgust rather unmistakable, and I nodded slowly.
``Yeah. That's... I wasn't expecting it, that was for sure...'' I tried not to sound bitter but doubted I was very successful. Exia started looking miffed again, but Mom quickly intercepted.
``If it's not too much to ask, Exes, do you think you could pass us your own version of what happened? The only thing we have to go on is Yimir's side of the story, and I'd like to hear yours.'' Eh? Oh, right... Exia perked at that and nodded rapidly, looking back to me with curiosity, and I flushed a little. Well... No, I mean, they were my family. I don't think they were going to judge me or anything.
Giving a longer sigh, I nodded, then started in on the story as I experienced it. Admittedly, even with including the meeting before Yimir's tent with her parents about the mage ritual, it wasn't a very long tale to tell. I decided to just be as blunt as possible, which had Exia flushed by the end of the mention of the `grinding' session, but Mom just listened intently through the entire thing, paying careful attention but also not interrupting. She even went so far as to whack Exia every time it looked like she was going to chip in.
Admittedly, I felt better after having told... someone. Exia remained flushed pink, but was scowling by the end. ``Definitely doesn't sound like a `rape' scene to me. Assholes...'' Was it a good or bad thing that, at this distance, I could smell she was turned on?
Mom pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement anyway. ``Yeah. I suspect this is going to end up going to the capital anyway, so having your side of the story told and it matching up to the inevitable memory scans they're going to be doing will help. Otherwise, the story's almost textbook of first-time kits experimenting sexually. You didn't do a thing wrong, Exes.''
I flushed a little at that and looked away from both of them, but Exia gave a little chitter, mixed with a grin before nuzzling up against my neck instead. ``Perfectly normal, bro. Don't worry about your stamina, either. Everybody's sensitive and new to things their first time...'' Ugh!
Mom nodded more slowly in agreement. ``It's true. It's just a part of life. Though hearing that from us, two females, probably doesn't help much. You should bring it up with Exir later. I'd bet coin on him having a similar first experience...'' Eh? Oh. I... That's true. He might. I'd never asked him what his first time was like. He'd already regaled me with many a fun, kinky story about his other hijinks with females. Usually while we were tucked away safely in one of the male-centric hangouts most camps tended to have. Further usually while both masturbating to said story. Not that we were the only ones. His stories tended to draw a larger crowd of interested listeners, admittedly.
I nodded again to that, looking back to Mom and feeling a little more relaxed anyway. Then I paused, remembering the other bit that had hit me after. I froze, then. Right. Did I... dare risk telling her and Exia? Both of their ears perked up as they watched me, clearly realizing I was considering adding more, even though I fought with it for a moment. Still, they were patient, as usual, with me. Tch.
There wasn't any harm in it, was there? Worst they could do is recommend I see a therapist or something in the city. Hesitantly, I nodded to myself again and brought it up. ``There... was one other thing. When she was, well, confessing to me. Something she said... I reacted really strangely to it, in a way I wasn't expecting. She mentioned me being her First, and wanting to wait for me...'' Exia frowned lightly at that, but Mom's expression remained neutrally blank as she gave a nod, encouraging more. Right...
I exhaled again, then just braced myself and plowed in. ``I felt... dysphoric. Ill, even, when she said it. The thought of... sharing her with another male suddenly just made me disgusted. I mean, I know how our society works, and have my whole life. I don't know... why I felt... feel... that way. Is there... something wrong with me?''
Exia went from frowning to ears perked, then playing at a smile almost immediately, oddly. Then, Mom surprised me by getting a little bit of a smile herself. Huh? ``Ah, I was... wondering when... if... this would ever get brought up. Exia's already experienced extremely similar, and I was wondering if you'd also experience the same.'' Eh?! She... has...? Wait, what did that even mean? I glanced to her, and she flushed again, giving a little wiggle.
``Yeah, I... can't see myself having multiple males, like what's expected of me. I just... I only want to be with one. I don't really mind if he's with... other females or not. Actually, depending on who he's with, that might be even... better?'' My eyes widened at her explanation. That... It was a mirroring of my own instincts. No, it was mimicking different species' instincts. Illan, Vulkus, and Jakatar, in particular.
Mom was fully smiling by then, and nodded. ``You probably already noticed that those types of instincts fit better with different species. Are you familiar with some of the politics happening in Laridia at the moment?'' My mind blanked at the question. Our capital's politics was usually a pretty distant topic for the tribes, and even moreso for me. Slowly, I shook my head, and she nodded, as if expecting that.
``Well at the moment, they're having quite the... stressful time. There's a movement going on specifically targeting male rights, and petitioning for more equal treatment. At its core, it's because more and more Inaga are being born lately as `abnormal'. It's their term, not mine. The common theme is a flip in gender dynamics, with males being the more dominant role, and females taking a more submissive one. This includes a flip in ratios, similar to Vulkus.'' Huh. I blanked for a moment processing all of that. Abnormal?
``So... Exia and I might be `abnormal' Inaga?''
There was a spark of... something... in Mom's eyes. A sudden spike in irritation, it suddenly felt like, by her light scent shift. ``No, you're not. I said that was their word for it. Both of you are normal. How an Inaga is supposed to be.'' Her tone was absolutely adamant, and the sudden intensity surprised me. That was... unexpected. She was apparently in agreement with the male rights movement she spoke of, then.
Exia nodded twice to that, looking immensely happy now instead. ``Mom's right. This is super-duper secret though, Bro. I know you won't spread it around though. There's other Inaga out there. That aren't part of Larid, its politics, and its essence patches. They're how Inaga should be, and are quite a bit different!'' My eyes widened a little at that, then flicked to Mom. To my further surprise, she just relaxed there with her arms folded, watching me carefully. She wasn't stopping Exia, or saying it was wrong. This was...
My mind was whirling again. Inaga not of Larid. Not of our own government then. If Mom said that this was how Inaga were `supposed' to be, that must mean that this other group of Inaga behave more like Vulkus or Jakatar. And it was... okay to do that? My sister and presumably mother were also like that? Wait...
My eyes focused more exclusively on Mom, who just smiled softly and watched me, looking curious now. I... knew almost nothing about her history, I realized. She'd been part of another tribe before meeting Dad, but I had no idea which one. She'd never said anything about it. I also didn't know what she even did before she came here and took up hunting. Her method of hunting was completely different from what our other hunters used. She always went solo, or took my sister along, dismissing any other offers to hunt in parties. Further, her... weapons were strange too.
Admittedly, I knew next to nothing about weapons too, but I could at least logic out that they were a little strange for a hunter. She had an entire back pouch of custom-made shortspears. Their balance didn't look very conducive to throwing, which I assumed a hunter would be doing. We were fast runners, but catching a prey animal by paw and stabbing it with a spear seemed... really hard. I'd assumed she employed stealth more than anything. The quarry she brought back seemed to indicate that anyway, usually with a single stab wound to the neck or chest.
But now... I wasn't so sure. She was adamant that other groups of Inaga existed. Did that mean she was from one of them...? She'd always said Dad had visited her tribe on a diplomatic trip several times before she grew interested. I thought it was just friendly relations garnering, but what if it was actual diplomacy with a tribe not in relation to Larid...? Where would they hide?!
Her smile widened. ``I see your mind going, Exes. You have a lot of questions, I know, but we can't talk here about this anymore. We can talk later back in the privacy of our own tent, okay?'' Ah, right.
I nodded to her and relaxed again. ``I... do, yeah. Though knowing I'm not a freak puts me a bit at ease, anyway...'' I was joking, but Exia still booped me on the shoulder.
``You're not! I'm the same way, bro. And I'm really happy you are too! I have... a ton I want to talk to you about now too!'' She grinned up to me instead, tail starting to rapidly swish as Mom snorted for some reason, then laughed. Huh?
``One thing at a time, Exia. Anyway, if you need anything, Exes, don't hesitate to just ask. We'll be nearby, and check up on you frequently.'' I smiled a bit more to Mom and nodded, but for just a second, I saw another flicker of something in her eyes. They... slitted for a moment. Just a split second, as they almost seemed to... glow... in the low light. ``And don't worry, Exia. If anyone tries to hurt my son again, they'll answer to me, first...''
My eyes widened a little, but Exia smirked, then nodded to Mom, standing up after me rather gracefully. Well, that was... terrifying. It would seem both females in my family were scary when they wanted to be. Other Inaga. Quite different. Maybe they were really different, then. Did that mean... I was one of them? My mind shifted back to whirling even as they said their goodbyes and headed out again to check on how things were going with the Elders.
Essence patches. Exia had let that slip, but I hadn't forgotten about it. Those were the alchemical mixtures given to every person in Aion, in-utero, while we were developing. But the only essence patches I knew of were created by us Inaga, and distributed to every species. They fixed common issues. Hereditary mutation problems that could lead to diseases and deformities. I kinda wish they'd caught my leg and lower spine, but maybe I added a bit of new data to the patch instead when I was born like this. Guess it always sucked for the first person to suffer from something. But... essence patches that weren't from Larid?
First question. How? Last I knew, only the Grandmaster Alchemist could modify the formula of the patches. And there was only one, who worked for Larid. Secondly, where? Where on earth did these patches come from if they weren't produced by Larid? That meant someone else had the secret knowledge to make them that was supposed to be only known by the Grandmaster.
The third question seemed the most important. Why? Why would they not want to use Larid's patches? We gave them out for free, as part of an Aion-wide initiative to make sure disease and malformity in our essences were stamped out. To make everyone healthier and safer. Why would you avoid that and go for a different patch made by someone else? I got a chill going through me, as I thought more on it. I... had a sneaking suspicion that I might not like the answer to some of these questions. Especially if Mom didn't want to talk about them in public. Nope. It was in my best interest, I immediately decided, to do exactly that and not mention a single thing about what we talked about to anyone else. Even if Master Chronak might know quite a bit more.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mercifully perhaps, I didn't get any more visitors that night other than my sister and mother. Now it was day three, and the Elder's on the camp council were still deliberating. I wasn't certain exactly what would befall Elith if the capital did get involved and processed him as a criminal, but it must have been fairly serious if they were still debating it.
Yawning, I set aside my breakfast of rice egg bowl and fruit, and settled into the raised cushion behind me a bit, again. Ironically, I noticed my day hospitalized wasn't terribly different from my normal days, as I glanced at the stack of books next to me and the schoolwork I had opened up on the other side. I was just slightly less mobile than normal. Just slightly.
I was just about to grab my geographical mineral schoolwork again when the segment flap stirred. Ears perked, I had a mixture of anticipation and dread, until I saw Exir and Exia enter and relaxed again. ``Bro!'' They both managed the same call out at the same time, then grinned to each other before Exia burst forward and flopped into my lap again, giving me a tight hug. Exir was a bit more reserved, instead trotting up and flopping into a sitting position next to me.
``I'm jealous. You didn't even invite me to the party! I told you, you can call on me whenever you need to throw down...'' Exir smirked after and I rolled my eyes.
``Sorry, it was kind of short notice. Didn't expect Yimir to jump me, followed far less sexily by her brother.''
Exia scrunched her muzzle at that. ``Ewwww. Don't make me imagine that prick without his loincloth. Especially not involving my brother! Now, imagining Exir and you together, that's totally fine!''
I lifted a skeptical glance her way, only to get a lightly blushing grin back, and Exir barked out a laugh. ``Sorry, Exia. Closest we've ever been is jacking off together to the same stories.''
Honestly, I was a little concerned she might need a neck brace herself with how fast Exia whipped her head to face Exir. ``What?! Details! Now!'' I gave a shrug to that instead.
``At the typical guy hangouts. It's a pretty common occurrence though, if you ever visit there. Uh, I don't suggest it though, because you'd get a lot of attention if you did...'' Her ears wiggled as she looked back at me, then huffed... before it creeped into a grin anyway.
``Lots of attention? Aww, are you saying I'm sexy?''
A chuckle. ``Of course, Sis. The sexiest.''
Looking back and forth between us, Exir just started to snicker after. ``Really, you two should just fuck. It's not like it would surprise anyone.'' His turn to get a skeptical upraised eyebrow from me. Exia was too busy blushing furiously to, so I had to put extra effort forth for her share as well.
He paused for a moment, then shifted suddenly more neutral in expression, however. ``Though, Exia did relay your side of the story to me, too. For one, embarrassingly enough, your mom kinda pegged it right, heh. I never told you the story, well, stories, of at least my first dozen times because they kinda sucked...'' Eh?!
``Sucked? That doesn't sound very...'' He coughed, then laughed.
``Right, no, I mean, well, they sucked for the female I was with, anyway. I felt amazing for a good minute or so at a time.'' Exia snorted, then snickered until I bopped her on the snout. Exir just laughed again, then shrugged.
``Eh, it was a while ago now, and I've improved a ton, obviously. Practice. Frankly, you shouldn't even look at that first bit, and instead consider that you immediately evened the score like a total stud! I mean, I'm pretty sure I heard her in the market square, so I'd say you get extra points for that...'' My cheeks flushed with heat at that one and I coughed, looking away again. I figured she'd been loud but... surely, he was exaggerating. Right...?
Exia blinked at that, then glanced over at Exir instead. ``Wait, that scream was...? Oh, I thought someone had like, dislocated their face or something in the practice yard and those were the sounds of their death throws...'' Well, her tent was close to the guard training area, but you can't dislocate your face... wait, seriously?!
I gave a low groan at that. ``Please tell me you two are joking...'' Did literally the entire camp hear her orgasm?!
They both grinned my way, but neither had time to respond as the section flap opened again. All three of us looked over as Mom entered, looking surprisingly... irritated. My breath caught a second later as I potentially realized why. Both Irikis and Yimir followed after her, with Irikis towering over both of them by at least a head. Still, Mom didn't even look bothered, and instead shifted to where the three of us were, leaning her lower back up against the equipment table next to the beds. She'd positioned herself directly adjacent to us and kept her arms crossed, pointedly staring right at Irikis. Yikes!
Irikis gave her an uneasy glance as she came to a stop a few meters away from us, before turning to face me instead. Yimir fell into position slightly behind her and to the right, and pointedly stared at her paws while fidgeting lightly. This boded well... I stared blankly at the two of them for a long moment while Irikis seemed to gather her thoughts. What she'd done was... rather fresh still in my mind, and I felt my stomach start to feel like it was bubbling a little, with my right paw clenching against the mattress.
Exir remained a chilly neutral, turning more to face the two of them as well, while losing his normally slack, relaxed posture. Exia was less composed in her emotions, instead shooting the two a glare while almost pointedly snuggling more into my lap, while staring right at Yimir. Well, this was off to a good start. Not that I had really anticipated or desired otherwise.
``I'm sorry, Exes.'' Admittedly, the tense quiet had drawn on so long, I almost jumped when Irikis finally spoke up. ``Both, for how my son acted, and for defending him in the eyes of the camp.'' My blank stare was ruined by an ever so slight narrowing of my eyes, but I remained silent as she paused after, then gave a small sigh.
``I know you didn't rape Yimir, or take advantage of her in any way. The only reason we're defending Elith is so that this doesn't become a legal matter for the capital. I would... greatly prefer if we can keep his punishment up to my pack, and the tribe, to decide.'' There wasn't much for me to say to any of that, really.
I continued staring for a long moment after, before closing my eyes and giving a tired shrug. ``I already guessed why you released the statement defending him. Thanks for the empty sympathy, I guess, but that doesn't really stop half the camp from thinking I'm a rapist and should be prosecuted. And you're not going to change or retract your statement, so I'm not entirely sure why you're here...'' My tone was entirely flat as I simply pointed out the obvious. I wanted to scream at them. To call her a fucking traitor right to her face. But really... I was just tired at this point.
I don't think it was what she was expecting, in a reply, but then again, I don't know what she could have expected from all this. It didn't stop the corner of my Mom's muzzle from upturning just a little in a tiny smirk, though. Irikis stared at me, looking stunned for a moment before her ears lowered a little and she sighed again. ``As soon as Elith is no longer in danger of being sent to the capital, I already planned on releasing a new statement assuring everyone that you didn't actually do anything wrong. I'm here because I want to... try to fix this. For my daughter, most of all. I can't... just abandon my son to an unknown fate, Exes. He's family, and-``
It snapped. The heat had been bubbling the entire time, but it was too much when she pulled that card. ``I was supposed to be `like family' too. But you had no trouble destroying my reputation to protect him after he literally attacked me. But I'm sure a belated statement in a few weeks will just patch things right up and convince everyone I'm innocent. Assuming they haven't mobbed and murdered me by then...'' She actually winced at that, but to my surprise, Exir snorted.
``We guards take an oath, even during training. We're given advanced knowledge and equipment, all in the name of protecting the innocent and serving society. Elith knew this, and still broke our tenets because of his own ignorant, petty views. He deserves whatever he gets at this point, despite you seemingly thinking he's special and should have better treatment.'' He didn't raise his voice, but the disgust was there and accounted for in his tone.
Irikis had closed her eyes by then and looked like she was just weathering a storm. Yimir had started to tremble however, ears twitching as she stared rigidly at her paws, afraid to look at me at all it seemed. Her mother slowly nodded after he was done. ``I know you're angry, and I deserve every drop of it. This might amount to nothing and Laridia may get involved regardless. But... I had to try. Maybe you'll understand if you become a parent one day...'' She kept her eyes on me after, then lifted her right paw in Yimir's direction instead.
``But Yimir isn't responsible for what I did. She has nothing to do with my choice. If anything, I ask you to forgive her at least. She... I meant what I said about my feelings on magic, and her future. And she does care for you deeply, Exes.'' Tch. My eyes shifted to her as her mother spoke. For a moment, we were twelve again, and she really did look like a scared little kit. We were twelve, yet all this crap had been just dumped into our lives.
Mom finally spoke, however. ``It's irrelevant at the moment. At this point, Laridia might get involved if not only for the sudden schism your statement wedged through the tribe. Those who believe magic is pure corruption aren't going to be pleased in the slightest if Yimir starts hanging around Exes again. At least not until things calm down some. Now they think he's some sort of Demon that's manipulating her mind, after all...'' Right. It would only add more fuel to the fire at this point.
``H-He's not, though! I told them all that! He wasn't... He didn't rape me! They have to believe that!'' Yimir finally spoke up, looking up to my mom instead, arms shaking again. Heh.
I sighed. ``They don't, and won't. I tried for a long time to get along with Elith and convince him I wasn't some monster trying to corrupt you. You can see how far that got. Most of them are no different...'' She locked eyes with me for a moment as I pointed that out, then slowly lowered her ears again, a defeated look hanging over her now as her eyes started to get watery. Irikis winced at the same time, again.
Mom nodded to my statement. ``Most don't try to understand. It's not a matter of saying just the right thing to them to cause a revelation or sudden change of heart. That doesn't... happen. They already feel they're the correct ones. Not only do they believe magic corrupts and is dangerous, but that any attempts by a mage to change their mind is just that very corruption. There's nothing you can do to change their minds.'' Slowly, she shook her head after, and switched back to her pointed stare. ``Your efforts will probably amount to nothing. Not because you fail to sway the Elders, but because the effect of your message is causing so much discord that the capital will probably notice, and investigate regardless. In trying to avoid his punishment, you caused it yourself. And pushed Exes away at the same time...''
Slowly, Irikis gave a single nod to that. Less like she was realizing a point and more like grudgingly admitting she'd already figured that out long before she even entered the room. ``No, you're... probably right at this point. But it was all I could think of to do. I should have thought it through far more, but... again, in my rush to protect him, I did the first thing I could think of. It wasn't right, no, and I regret doing it, yes. But I don't know how to fix it now that it's done...'' Her gaze shifted back to me, with her composure slipping a little now. ``I want... no, I have to fix this somehow. I can't undo what I did, no. But there has to be something I can do to make amends. Again, for my daughter most of all.''
Yimir shivered, then nodded rapidly to that, holding her arms to her chest as she did and crying now. ``I... really do care about you, Exes. I want to be your mate. What I said wasn't a lie. I still want you as my First. Please, what can I do to fix this...?'' That tension spiked in me again, and my muzzle twitched.
``...First? So... you want me as your first male pick, then...?'' My voice shook a little as I asked, even though I kept it as even as I could. Exia tensed on my lap, and I felt her paw clench against my own.
Yimir froze, blinking once, then slowly frowning towards me, looking confused. I didn't think my question was that difficult, but I suspected how I asked it threw her off a bit. Her mother, however... Irikis looked my way again, but in surprise instead. She searched my expression for a long moment before her eyes widened just slightly. ``Oh. You... You're an Abnormal, aren't you...?'' I looked to her instead, even as Yimir tilted her head slightly and glanced to her mother as well.
My mother, however, tensed both of her arms. ``You've stressed Exes out enough for one day. He needs to recover now...''
Both of them looked surprised at her, then Irikis frowned. ``But, this changes-``
``Leave.'' Mom's tone dropped into a frigid stillness, and her golden eyes slitted as she glared right at Irikis. Despite being much larger, Irikis froze for a long moment, then slowly lifted her paws up, defensively.
``Alright. We'll continue this another day. I... need to speak with Yimir anyway...'' That sounded... just perfect.
Still, Mom was right. I was definitely stressed now. Exia turned again and started nuzzling against my neck as soon as they were gone. Fuck... Exia's nuzzles were soft and felt nice though, even as Exir turned back to me, and Mom slipped away from the table and over to where we were. ``You handled that well, Exes. I'm glad you stuck up for yourself.'' She gave a softer smile now as she sat down next to Exir, and I sagged against Exia a little. She didn't seem to mind.
Slowly, Exir shook his head. ``Abnormal. They're the abnormal ones. You handled that amazingly, Exes. Don't let Yimir push you around either.''
Push around or not, I still felt, most of all, obligated to at least help her start towards a path of magic. I sighed, giving Exia a squeeze and feeling her burrow into my chest, practically. Heh. Also like when she was young and hiding from the bad storms outside. ``It's not... I more feel like I at least promised the magic thing to her. Maybe if I could only deal with her and not her family...'' Mom slowly nodded to that.
``Sticking to promises is good, within reason. And that can probably be arranged, but we should let things cool down first regardless.'' What, not wanting me to get strung up and paraded about by a mob? Well, no, I hoped I was being facetious there.
I didn't get a chance to respond, however, as the section flap opened yet again. I tensed, then relaxed almost immediately as I saw Master Chronak's cowled head peek through the flap. I knew he was around from his checkup this morning, but he was also on the Elder council, so... ``Umani... Busy, now that the idiots left?''
Mom paused, looking to Master for a moment before shaking her head. ``No, I was just making sure they behaved. Mmm...'' She looked back to us with a smile again. ``I'll be back in a little bit. You three behave, okay?'' Suspicious, but okay. The three of us nodded as she stood again and headed towards the flap. Master Chronak was gone again, and I had the nagging suspicion something was suddenly up. Master and Mom had a pretty casual relationship going. He'd only instructed me for years now, after all. But he'd also instructed me for years, and I had started to pick up on the differences between his `I'm-too-lazy-to-do-this-and-am-delegating-it-to-you' expression, and his `something-actually-needs-doing-and-might-explode-otherwise' one. That was one of the latter.
Exir gave a sheepish grin after she was gone, and I glanced his way instead. ``Just as well, really. Uh...'' Huh? He dug into the side pouch he was wearing, then kept the grin up as he pulled out what looked like a pile of parchment with math notes no them. Oh... Exia perked, then giggled instead.
``Right! Um, could you help us, pleeeeease, big brother?'' She too wore a side pouch, I noticed, through her fluttering eyelashes and mixed signals of pushing her breasts up against my chest. Cute? Sexy? Why not try bribing with both?! Giving a little sigh, I chuckled after, then nodded to the two of them.
``Should have known this wasn't just a well-wishing visit. Fine, get the school work out...'' Exir sagged a bit at that, relaxing again, and Exia gave a celebratory arm pump into the air above me. They were both brats...
