To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I looked myself over in the bathing area mirror as the train docked. It was kind of strange feeling it moving sideways, but they had an entire raised and shifting platform that took the behemoth off the public track and slid it up into the inner elevated castle district, through the heavy, reinforced wall. I wasn't even going to lay eyes on the civilian areas of Kaldar by the sounds of it.
I was larger. About the height and build of a normal Vulkus now. I also looked tired; like a distance hunter coming back from a several-day trip. Otherwise, there wasn't a single sign of anything I'd gone through. In a way, it made me relieved. But I also suspected my pack had already been told about everything anyway and it didn't matter. Still, at least I felt less self-conscious about my appearance... My ears flicked back and forth, and I exhaled before turning away and heading back out into the main area.
Remi and Exa were already waiting there for me, being dwarfed next to Kormir in his armor. Ten other guards were also in place and ready to escort me by the looks of it. I gave a nod to them as I came out of the bathroom, and received three back. Kormir gestured to the door on the left afterwards. ``We'll be heading out this direction and going straight for the doors of the castle. We keep pace with you. The entire inner courtyard is locked down already with Shadowstalker ranger support, but I assume you also have your own protections in place?''
I nodded at that, Keyhole unsealing on my chest and data starting to flow into my vision. ``Yeah. I've gotten... paranoid. There's a lot of protections in place on me.'' A little smile played at Remi's muzzle, but Kormir simply nodded.
``Good. Every defense in place is one less opportunity for anyone with ill intent.'' He paused as the train jerked, then stopped, then gave a nod and gestured for the door again. ``Alright then. We move for the castle.''
I had to admit that the Vulkus took their security quite seriously. The guards kept a pristine box formation around me as we moved, heading for the double doors across the courtyard. Fuck yes! There wasn't a fucking fountain! I liked this place already! Instead, the center of the courtyard had a staggeringly massive tree, looking almost as old as the castle itself. Fancy stonework was in a large circle around it, and I looked it over as we skirted the left side. The courtyard itself felt more rustic and practical than Laridia's palace, by far. Carved, dusty stone mixed with strong wood furniture made for a somehow homely impression. I might try sitting on one of the benches if it wasn't fucking freezing outside!
I was glad for the coat they'd given me, admittedly. I thought Nulidia had been cold. Well, surprise! It had to be getting close to freezing, and it was in the middle of the summer! The weather was even sunny and clear! Huffing, I pulled the coat a bit more together against me, and heard a deeper chuckle behind me from Kormir. ``I know. The climate here's not very comfortable for Inaga. I'm sure you'll get used to it, though.'' Tch. Given I was used to deserts and scrub plains, I kind of doubted that.
Thankfully it didn't take us very long to reach the other set of doors and get inside. It was a lot warmer in the castle, and I exhaled, easing off the coat again as the guards opened their formation and got the door sealed behind us. Well, that was uneventful. I liked uneventful. Though the odds had been stacked in my favor. Apart from the dozens of guards in the courtyard, I'd managed to count at least six high-perched Shadowstalkers as well, watching from the ramparts and towers with ranged weaponry.
Kormir gave me a nod after we got inside, and I stayed with Exa and Remi, waiting for further instructions while he spoke with one of the inner guards. They had a little chamber of sorts before the main hall, it seemed, where outer clothing was managed. Made sense, given the climate. They took my coat, leaving me with just the leather tunic and shorts, and I exhaled softly, feeling a little more vulnerable to stares with less layers to wear. Remi slipped her paw into mine though and gave me a smile, which helped. Exa looked a bit nervous, though.
``I wish I knew what they'd think of me too. Meeting new people is... a little scary.'' She looked to me with that, and I sighed and nodded.
``My pack and family are good people. Though, I guess I'm worried too about what they're going to think or do. What do I even say?'' Exa slid up next to me and rested against my side instead, and I gave her a squeeze with my arm. Well, it would be better once we got past the initial awkwardness, anyway.
Everyone perked as the doors opened again to the outside, and Kyry came in with Annah and Lilita following her. It was kind of strange that Lilita was here with us instead of having headed back to Talgrand, but I suppose she was free to range as she wished. Plus, I mean... Rumors and general resemblance definitely pointed to her being Kormir's daughter as well. Especially seeing her standing right next to Annah, who was more than likely her sister. She seemed really comfortable here, regardless.
``Perimeter is secure. Everyone's reported in clear and security is sitting steady at `elevated'.'' Kyry gave a nod to Kormir at that, and he nodded back, relaxing finally.
``Alright. Then everything's good to go. At ease, everyone, and let's head inside.'' Yay. I'd made it safely inside the castle and I didn't even have to kill anyone to do it. This place was already better than Nulidia!
The inner doors got opened up after, and I was greeted with the first sight of the main hall. It was a bit smaller than the one in Laridia. Still two floors high, but only about thirty meters long or so before reaching the slightly elevated throne area. I was surprised to see three thrones instead there, with two smaller ones to each side of the larger in the center. A long table sat in front of the throne area, acting as both a partition and a spot for the council to sit, undoubtedly. Large stone columns lined the path up towards the throne, with braziers mounted on each, giving a warm fire-glow to the room. More wood furniture lined the walls, and framed pictures of battles against the Demons, and epic moments in the foundation of the tribes were everywhere. I felt more... at ease with the far more casual feel to the place. This was a castle instead of a palace, most definitely. It wasn't absolutely saturated in that sense of luxury and extravagance.
Apart from the guards, two females walked up as Kormir took the lead. My ears perked as I looked over them both. The older female looked to be maybe in her early thirties, and probably about the same age as Kormir. A Vulkus, with dark gray fur and a lighter underbelly and paw patterning to her. Brilliant green eyes danced with energy as she gave a wide grin to him, then surprised me by breaking into a running pounce within a few meters. Oh!
Kormir grinned and caught her, finding her muzzle with his own almost immediately. Ooooh, they were his mates. I looked to the more reserved, younger one, who was just smirking and watching for a moment. A Jakatar female, she looked maybe mid-twenties. Her fur was entirely snowy-gray, with no patterns at all, and soft blue eyes watched the two calmly, before she too slipped up for at least a snuggle and smooch.
He grinned, holding them both tightly before turning to me with a nod. ``Ah, these lovelies are my mates, Fiara and Tyris.'' He gestured to the Vulkus and Jakatar respectively, and I gave them both a polite nod, getting a double set of curtsies back.
Fiara gave a confident grin at that and nodded to me. ``Ah, Grandmaster! It's good to meet you. I'm glad you're safe and secure now, here in Kaldar.'' Tyris nodded after, dipping again before giving me a softer smile.
``Yes. You have our most sincere sympathies over everything that happened. It's good to see you safe here at least.'' That I could agree with, anyway, and nodded to.
Smiling wider now, Kormir gave me a nod too. ``Exactly. We already have a suite arranged for you on the first floor of the North wing. It's actually right next to the lower lounge, where everyone else is waiting. We should go there first and foremost, then give you a tour of the castle once everything settles down a bit...'' Right...
I swallowed my tenseness, then gave him a nod. Well, there was no delaying it any further, I suppose. With that, he and the queens lead us to the right, heading towards the side doors. Past them was a long hallway that seemed to run the length of the main hall and beyond, with doors along the sides. The design of the place was pretty straightforward so far, it seemed. We took another right, heading for the front of the castle again, finally stopping before the last door on the left side. I gave a little sigh, but Kormir nodded to me, then headed inside. Yeah, he struck me as the `diving in' type.
The lounge switched back to stone tile floors, all carved by paw it looked like. That same rustic wooden appeal was within, keeping the colors rich and very woodland-y, with the dark woods, stone grays, and deep green upholstery and fabrics. The room was well lit with at least three windows that I could see, and a huge standing fireplace. Well, more a hearth, as you could walk entirely around it, and the seating appeared centered in front of it, with two couches and three armchairs, plus a wide tea table. On the other side of the hearth was a variety of game tables by the looks of it, and a partial library. On the left side of the room, opposite the seating area, was a well-stocked bar. Admittedly, I rather liked the place.
But I still froze as I spotted a whole lot of familiar faces turning our way from the seating area. Mom, Exia, Yimir, and Kada took up the majority of one of the couches. Exir and Niva were on the other, alongside a pure white Illan, looking back at me with twin teal eyes. I presumed that was Mari. More surprising, however, was the female resting in front of the sofa, ears perked and watching as well. Her body was probably a bit too large for the seating arrangement, after all.
An Akeerta! She was covered in soft-looking brown fur, with a white underbelly that ran all the way from her tail tip to her upper-body's chest, with lots of extra little white freckles everywhere, including her cheeks and chest. They were tauric in nature, meaning they had a normal upper body, but their lower body was more feral, with a separate set of four legs. They were ungulates, with each leg capped with a cloven hoof, split into two `toes' each. Interestingly enough, her tail was surprisingly bushy and long, and she had four pointed ears like a Vulkus! Oh, she was a Fae Akeerta! Even more exotic, they were partly woodland-spirit in nature. All females, they could naturally breed with a variety of species' males, and adopted characteristics of their father when it came to tails or ears. Her dad was probably a Vulkus in that case, given the tail and ears. They were also a bit smaller than regular Akeerta. Proportionally, her species were closer to a `small' stature species, but thanks to their tauric body, had the mass of a medium instead, putting their final weight and size usually around that of a Keld or Jakatar. In contrast, regular Akeerta were huge, and capable of giving a Gar's bipedal form a run for their coin.
She was entirely naked, which was another thing common for Fae Akeerta. Her upper body had two small breasts, and I knew there were two more than likely larger ones on her lower body, back towards her groin. Was she... with Exir then too? I'd probably find out in a bit, as everyone's eyes widened upon spotting me.
Exia flickered golden for a second, and I winced, bracing for a Flickerpaw-fueled tackle... but nothing happened. She froze instead, only barely having stood up, before I realized Mom was behind her already, grabbing her by the scruff. I exhaled, relaxing again as Exia got pulled back down onto the couch instead. ``Exia, behave...'' Mom shot her a stern look before returning her gaze to me as we walked up, with Kormir letting Remi, Exa, and I take the lead.
``S-Sorry... I just... Bro, you're...'' Her eyes searched mine, and softened as they did. In a way though... no, I was glad for her compulsive response. It had let someone do the talking first and broke the ice at least.
I slowly nodded. ``Yeah... I'm back, I guess.'' Smooth. My paws fidgeted, and both Remi and Exa grabbed one each, giving me a double squeeze and letting me relax a little more. Although it didn't go without attracting attention, as both Exia and Yimir spotted the affection. Right...
``Uh... right. This is Exa. She's... It's complicated. She's actually a magical projection. She's... well... a branching from my soul that's fully developed her own ego. Long story...'' I gestured to her at that, and she flushed, giving an awkward rub of her arm at all the bewildered looks. Yeah... I moved on instead and gestured to my right. ``And this is-``
``Remi! Sis!'' The white Illan perked and hopped up on the back of the couch before giving a flying leap towards Remi! ...who promptly sidestepped behind my leg instead and let her faceplant on the tiles. I winced, but the little Illan was up and standing again within the second, grinning and hopping next to her sister, seemingly completely unharmed. ``You're back in Kaldar! What are you doing here?! You're holding Exes' paw! Are you two actually involved?! Are you pregnant yet?!'' Oh Gods... She was a therapist?!
Remi gave a long groan at that, and Mari's grin widened. Oh. Or she was doing it just to get under Remi's fur. ``No, Ah'm not pregnant! Fer fuck's sake, Mari, gimme ah break! We haven't even...'' She trailed off, turning red after and squishing her eyes shut, and I coughed lightly. Right, this was a thing... and not going how I thought it would at all.
Exir rubbed at the bridge of his muzzle, looking awkwardly towards Mari now instead. ``Mari, relax. You said you'd be good...'' She gave a little sigh at that, but nodded before flipping back onto the back of the couch, then just falling backwards into Exir's and Niva's laps with a little flop. Huh...
Yet, somehow, her antics eased the tension out of things, and I started to wonder exactly how tactically intentional that had been. I'd relaxed at that with her momentarily pulling the spotlight off me, and managed to flop into one of the armchairs instead. Remi hopped up into my lap, and Exa flickered out of existence, appearing instead sitting above me on top of the armchair's back, with her legs over my shoulders. Right... she technically didn't weigh anything. If there'd been any doubt to her status as a magical projection before...
``How is everyone? How have you all been?'' It was all I could think of to ask really.
Exir relaxed a little, then nodded. ``Training still. Finishing schooling. I uh, have two new mates now. You probably already knew about Mari, but this is Aliris.'' Oh! She was Aliris then! The Fey Akeerta gave a shy little wave to me at that, but neither elaborated further.
Instead, Mom gave a slow nod. ``I've been keeping busy and my mind off things. I've been furthering my training and helping Exia along too.'' Wait... I looked back to Exia at that, who perked her ears up at my sudden gaze. Her... Her eyes were golden now, like Mom's!
``Oh! Your eyes... You completed the second part of the shift?'' She flushed at that, then slowly nodded instead.
``Um, yeah. I've been training really, really hard. I still want to... be your guard, Exes. Exir does, too!'' She nodded furiously after, and Exir gave a chuckle from the other couch.
``I mean, if he even needs us at this point. I hear he's something of a badass now.'' He looked me up and down, and my muzzle scrunched at that.
Remi of course didn't miss a beat. ``Fuck yeah! He totally saved mah butt an' trashed ah powerful Gar, one on one!'' And there was that familiar rush of heat to my cheeks.
To my surprise, Yimir gave an appreciable look up and down me as well before flushing and nodding slowly. ``Yeah, we saw the videos. Well, the edited ones, anyway.'' Edited? Oh, right, they probably cut the bit where I blew him in half in a spray of gore, and splattered his brains out.
I exhaled at that and shook my head. ``I mean... I still want you two as guards regardless, if you want the position. It...'' I trailed off, looking over at Exir, then back to Exia, who slowly lowered her ears again.
Exir sighed, then shook his head. ``I do. Just... a matter of deserving it, I guess. Because of my issues, nobody was there guarding you that night, after all. I've... thought about it a lot.''
Mari frowned up at him with that, then shook her head. ``You know that's not your fault, Exir. Like I said before, everyone was coming together to help you through a difficult situation you didn't have control over.'' He sighed at that, then slowly nodded.
Exa gave a mental giggle, however. ``Coming together. Kinky!'' I... was glad that was entirely mental. Remi scrunched her muzzle, hearing it too, and I inwardly sighed. Okay, maybe Exa could use some therapy too. Plus, that... really didn't help me much, and now I was bombarded with images of him with Exia and Yimir, and fought outwardly groaning. Exa winced as she realized a split second later and shot me an apologetic look.
I tried to force my mind off it, regardless. ``She's right. It wasn't your fault, and we were trying to help you. I... was the one that didn't take the Cult seriously enough. Now I know better. We all do.''
Kada had been quiet this whole time, but had looked increasingly miserable with the topic shift. His ears finally flattened down entirely and he gave a low squeaking whine. ``I'm sorry, Exes. I'm so sorry. I didn't... I don't know what she was talking about or meant! I don't... know anything about that at all but if they did somehow get to you through me...'' My ears perked at that, and I looked to him as he gave a more pleading look my way instead.
Sighing, Kormir shook his head, slowly. ``We don't know what she was talking about either. Kada's had numerous memory scans, and every type of other scan we could think of. Nowhere in his memories are dealings with the Cult, and nothing detects at all, even on the deep True Alchemy scanners. Maybe you could think of something?'' I frowned to that, mind whirling again. If even the scanners we used couldn't pick up anything amiss... I certainly didn't see anything off just by looking at him with my augmented eyesight.
``I'm not seeing anything on my end, either. If there is something there, it's really well hidden somehow. I... should really do more research into it. Though I can protect against how they got to me the first time now, so they won't be able to do that again.'' In fact, if they tried that projection bullshit again, they were in for a rude awakening. Kada's ears lowered a little again, but I gave him a softer smile and shook my head.
``It... doesn't change anything, Kada. I still like you... romantically. If you're still available anyway.'' His eyes widened at that, and his nose wiggled furiously, whiskers twitching for a long moment before rapidly nodding. Heh, I forgot how adorable he could be. I even felt Remi squirming a bit as she watched him.
I tilted back enough to avoid bumping heads when he landed on the armrest directly to my left and nodded furiously. ``Yes! I... I've been horrified that you wouldn't even want to talk to me again! It...'' He shivered as I gave his forehead a little nuzzle, then gave a shaky sigh instead. Remi smirked as she watched, then grabbed his arm suddenly and, with a squeak from him, pulled him into my lap, squeezed in next to her. He of course shifted bright pink, staring at her in surprise.
``Hey! Ah'm Remi. Also Exes' mate. Ah gotta say, yer adorable. Definitely glad Exes is welcomin' ya back!'' He wiggled harder at that, and she giggled again. Well... those two were getting along anyway. Hmm... oh, wait...
``Oh, right, I introduced her to Chronicles of Na'ard, by the way. She makes for a mean stabby rogue.'' Kada's eyes shot open wide at that, and his tail started to bob, causing her to raise an eyebrow up at me instead.
She paused, then snorted. ``Oh, another nerd. Gotcha!'' He huffed, and I chuckled. It was short-lived, though.
Exia and Yimir were both looking intensely towards me, light and dark blue eyes, respectively, looking nervous. Uh...? Exia lowered her ears a little, holding her paw to her arm. ``Um... what about us, Exes? You accepted Kada back but... What about Yimir and I?'' Oh. Right...
I froze at that, looking between the two of them. It... My last memories had kind of just... simmered in my head, of them with Exir. Even going so far as to bitterly think of them just staying with him while I was captured. I... Now though, I knew they hadn't, but the sensation was... lingering. They didn't feel like they were with me at all. Not like Kada had. They had a... chance too, to change their mind if they wanted, didn't they...?
My ears lowered a little, and I glanced towards Exir, who just frowned and adamantly shook his head. ``No, Exes. They stopped that arrangement a long time ago, and detoxed already. Fully.''
Remi tilted her head, then looked up to me instead. ``What arrangement...?'' I sighed and shot her the relevant mental information, and she flinched instead, before grimacing. ``Oh... Yikes...'' That caused Yimir and Exia to wince too, and flatten their ears down fully.
Sighing, Mari sat up however, looking to them instead. ``I did warn you two last night especially, after hearing Exes had become an Alpha. It was going to be an issue before even without that, but especially now, there's a big conflict with instincts and memories.'' Oh?
She slid into Exir's lap instead, resting her lower paws on Aliris' back. ``Sharing mates with someone you're really close to requires... a significant amount of setup and crystal-clear communication. It's also usually a swap, rather than only one side doing all the sharing. As far as I could see here, none of that happened really. It would have helped if the communication had been kept up, and seemed to be a bit from what they said on the train, where you started gaming together again, but then, unfortunately, Exes got kidnapped for ten moons and it was all left to just fester. On top of all the other atrocious stuff that happened to Exes.'' That was... yeah, accurate so far. Grossly oversimplified of course, but her focus was clearly only on what had happened before.
Mari nodded to that, giving me a softer smile. ``That said, everything so far points at Inaga being remarkably similar to Vulkus as far as instincts go. Their Alphas are no exception to that rule. That means that Exes likely doesn't consider Yimir or Exia to be his mates any longer, on an instinctive level. They don't smell like him, it's been almost a year since you've done even the most basic of things together, and his last memories are of you two both being with another male.'' That... yeah...
They both frowned at that, and Exia opened her muzzle again, but Mari held her paw up and shook her head. ``This is just his instincts, mind. I have no doubt that Exes, on a conscious level, has heard and understands both of your pleas to become his mates again.'' I... had, yeah. Exia relaxed a little at that and nodded, but Mari wasn't done. ``So first of all, the most absolutely important initial step! You two both want to be his mates again, correct?'' Eh? A spike of nervousness shot through me as I looked to them instead, and they both looked surprised. Mari gestured behind her afterwards, to Exir. ``You don't like Exir more, think he's better at sex, like his body more, enjoy spending time with him more?'' I winced at that, old feelings rocketing to the surface as nausea danced in my stomach. Tch.
Yimir looked horrified, and Exia was shocked, rapidly shaking her head. ``N-No! Mari, you already-``
``Don't need a break then? Want to explore other males or your own sexualities? Focus on studies first and foremost? Just don't like Exes anymore?'' Mom frowned to her with that next barrage, but Exir just reclined back and let her talk. What the fuck?!
Yimir rapidly shook her head too, and Exia gave a twitch. ``Fuck no, Mari! You know that already! You helped us past all that bullshit! You've been in our heads!'' Eh, wait, what? Mari was a mind mage?! Well, I hadn't felt the Nullstone ping even once, so...
Mari grinned, though, then nodded, looking assured. ``Good! Yeah, all of that was indeed pretty absurd sounding, wasn't it? You two already know you want to be with Exes again. I have been in your minds to sort out your own feelings, with your permission. I have a minor license in mind magic. Just enough to do surface thoughts and help with emotions.'' Wait, she was...?
She smiled to me instead though, then gave a nod. ``All that was pretty absurd, wasn't it?'' It... was. I certainly hadn't hit off all those thoughts over the moons, but she'd nailed almost every one I had. The girls looked to me at that, and Mari nodded again. ``The very first thing needed is to make sure Exes heard all that, and understood that those were absurdities. They already told you the truth. They want to be yours again. So... how about you, Exes?''
I relaxed at that, slowly nodding. Her style certainly kept people off their guard, that was for sure. ``I... yeah, a lot of those things I'd... thought about. Usually while feeling bitter or alone during... a lot of times. Not knowing what happened to them. Worried about what happened to Kada. Thinking I'd... never find out or be rescued...'' I gave a shaky exhale, and Mari gave a gentle nod, still smiling softly.
``I figured. A lot was left to linger in you, mixing with unpleasantness of everything else. That's going to take time to get through. But if you want them back, they clearly are very okay with it.'' She gestured their way again, causing me to look to them instead. Yimir smiled and nodded my way, and Exia grinned, doing the same. I... Okay, Mari had convinced me of that. Somehow...
Mari gave another nod, relaxing back against Exir with that. ``But there will be lingering emotions to go through there, in parallel with your regular therapy. Mental image correction and removal. Those lingering disgusting thoughts of them with another male. Making them feel like they're yours and with you again. All while working through the guilt that they and Exir have over the entire situation. It'll be a slow road, but I wanna help you all get to someplace happy and comfortable again.''
My initial opinion of Mari had been... incorrect, I realized. She was very out-there with her style and personality, and didn't mind acting weird or even annoying in order to direct things a certain way and tie things together. She was... dangerously clever, but also very respectable, I felt. I... liked her. Exir had definitely made a good call with her. Heh.
I nodded finally, actually feeling a little confident in my decision now. ``I... do want to be with them again and get through this. And get help in doing so.'' Both of them perked at that, and Exir gave an exhale, sagging back against the couch. Eh?!
Mari snickered and winked back at him with that. ``Excellent! Exir was worried about it too, obviously. But now we can start constructively going through some things...''
Niva, silent until now, shot Mari an odd look, and got a smirk in return. ``Pause that, Niva. That would be an advanced lesson. We've not started basics yet! Also, Exes, have you considered venting?''
She mentioned it so casually, I almost wasn't certain I'd heard her right for a split second. Then it hit me in the face like a mallet and I felt my cheeks flare red again. She wasn't grinning though, and didn't even look amused. She just watched me! What... Why was...? She gave a nod after. ``I didn't think you had. This is just my personal opinion, but I believe that sexual health is tied quite closely with mental health. After everything they did to you, I think it would be a smarter idea to tackle both at once. In this case, I think you should start with calling in a specialist. The Vulkus have a venting branch of the hospital, with trained therapists.'' That was... okay, no, it made sense that they were serious about that, here, of all places.
``Hey!'' Remi glared at her sister with that, but Mari just shook her head.
``It's nothing against you, Remi. I understand, given how we were brought up, if you feel it's your duty to help Exes. But I think he needs a... carefully calculated start. Bringing in professional to help him sort through things is important. And sadly, that's something I'm not licensed for.'' They had licenses for that...?
Remi huffed, looking annoyed before slowly nodding. ``Ah... right. Ah mean, probably would be rushin' fer me, too.'' Yeah, that was what I was worried about.
Her sister smiled and nodded again to that. ``Then that settles it. Of course, by all means, start relaxing together again, everyone! Obviously, we all know that Exes is in need of a lot of attention and love. Just starting slow and gentle, and going at his pace. I know we all have a lot in common too. I also happen to know that Kada lovingly installed a full PEC system already in Exes' room, if we wish to take this there instead, with some tasty food and drinks, and just chill for a while...''
Exir chuckled, then nodded, pulling her tight against him for a moment until she grinned. ``I mean, I'd be all for it. Just relaxing with Exes again and showing him everything he did to the PEC and the company that produces it.'' Eh?! What was that supposed to mean?!
Kormir gave a chuckle behind him, then nodded. ``I agree. The tour of the castle can be at any point of course, Exes. Honestly, after the trip and all of this, if you just want to take the rest of the day off, I encourage it even. Rest up and relax. I'll have the kitchen deliver some proper Vulkus cuisine to your room as soon as possible, of course. We've got to show you what real food looks like.'' Oh boy. I think I'd heard something about the way Vulkus eat...
Mom surprised me, and everyone else, by standing up however. ``It's a very good idea. But, there's one thing first, however.'' Oh?
She smiled almost... tiredly to me before walking over to my chair. Oh. I relaxed and smiled back before shifting Kada and Remi to both armrests. Exa flickered to where I'd been sitting instead, watching with a grin after I stood, then just hugged Mom again.
She wrapped her arms around my back and squeezed me tight again, then huffed into my stomach. I... had missed her too. For a while, I just rested there, enjoying the hug...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Thanks to Mari defusing a lot of the awkwardness and tension, I was actually feeling pretty good about meeting everybody again now, especially as Kada started gushing about all the new stuff they'd released for the PEC. Apparently, I didn't... quite know what they'd meant when they asked for a review after all, and my short essay on the PEC and how it was clearly the way forward in entertainment was taken far more broadly than I'd intended. A bunch of investors just started flinging funds at them after that, and they were able to heavily ramp up production and features that they'd wanted in it all along. I was... kind of embarrassed, really. But it was nice to see Kada happy again.
He'd already set up a PEC system in my new suite. It was quite a nice room, admittedly. Staggeringly massive bed and air filters meant for an Alpha, which was nice. Side bathing room with fully modern features, and a walk-in closet for clothes storage. Unlike the Laridia suite, this one actually had a sort of living room with fireplace, seating arrangements, and large wall crystal panel for comm connections and hooking into an entertainment system. It was rather cozy, overall.
After things had gotten more comfortable, I had to admit it was also nice to be with everyone again. Once it was just the two packs, we'd gotten to talking a bit more and they were quite curious in Exa with that. She ended up relaying a censored version of her own story, from her perspective, which was admittedly rather educational from my standpoint. It really solidified my decision of getting her own ego and soul established as her own person.
Downside. That led to them asking me for more details about what happened. I cherry picked and censored, when possible, but there was still the plethora of horrified expressions in abundance. Aliris in particular looked absolutely disgusted. ``That sort of thing actually happens in Nulidia?! That's horrible!'' Actually, this was the first I'd heard her talk at all, and my ears perked to her.
I nodded, however. ``I... got the impression that Atir's operation was its own level of worst of the worst, but yeah. It wasn't pleasant.''
Niva slowly nodded, then gave a low sigh. ``I can see now why you're hesitant about sexual things now. That's terrible. I'm sorry, Exes...''
We were all relaxing in the living area now, managing a pack per couch. I... was including Kada, Exia, and Yimir in that now. Remi was still snug against me in my lap, but now I had Yimir and Exia to both sides, relaxing into me gently. It was a... slow and tentative start that made me feel more comfortable, anyway. It was... a little sad they didn't smell like me anymore but... Mari was right. That was something we could fix later.
``I'll... recover at least. It'll take a while but... it's the best I can do anyway. All three of us need therapy.'' Remi huffed at that, but didn't argue, and even Exa gave a slow nod.
``Heh, uh... yeah, I mean, I think I might be a little too sexual. It's hard for me to... trace where the conditioning stops and my own interest begins. I know that I want a... deeper connection than just sex though.'' I nodded to her at that, as she was tucked between my knees, sitting at the bottom of the couch.
Mari hopped back into the room after going for the door, being followed by several servants rolling a huge cart along with them. The food smelled amazing, but it was a little... embarrassing that I first took time to scan the servants and cart over with my eyes, looking for anything possibly hostile. No weapons, enchantments of any type, or poisons as far as I could see. Still, if Kada somehow held something that wasn't detectable, that meant I need to come up with new scanning techniques...
Threats cleared, I let myself drool as I sniffed in the heady aromas. Vulkus cuisine was everything I'd hoped it would be, after they started unloading it all onto the table. Kormir had apparently gotten us a `traditional' Vulkus meal consisting of a heavy meat and vegetable stew, with homemade grain bread rolls. There were sides of baked rootbulbs laden with butter, fried linked meat and cheese, and what smelled like a honey mead to drink. Fuuuuuck.
Exir grinned as he watched me ogling the food, then nodded. ``Yeah, you're gonna love eating here, Exes. I wish we'd come to Koramir a long time ago!'' I returned a smirk his way, but couldn't exactly disagree. This was awesome! The smells all melted together, and I was almost ravenous by the time I'd plated up a helping of just about everything.
Nodding rapidly, Exia grinned too. ``You should try their pasta layer plates too, soon. They basically layer thick noodles to make a sort of `cake' almost of the noodles, sauce, meats, cheeses... Then you cut it into sections and serve each.'' And now I was even more hungry. She seemed to recognize it, or maybe she heard my stomach, and gave furious nods. Still...
Everything disappeared into a haze of cheese, meat, breads, and mead after. Sometimes, exactly what the soul needed was just a hedonistic dive into an orgy of amazing food, nice company, snuggles, and then just flopping into an overly stuffed pile on the huge bed afterwards. Well, it certainly helped me anyway, and I didn't hear any complaints other than an overly stuffed groan or two from the various furred lumps lying on the mattress around and against me. We had managed two vague piles between Exir and I, but there was some mingling with Remi and Mari resting against each other, and Niva and Yimir chatting. I'd ate an embarrassingly large amount of food...
In the meantime, I set up a headset again for the PEC. Kada had imported my old body scans at some point, but they were... wildly inaccurate now. I was surprised to see that they'd already gotten an Inaga Alpha category installed into it, though. Kada snuggled against my chest as it got set up, talking about the new additions they'd made to Chronicles of Na'ard at the same time. It was...
I realized that I was relaxing for the first time in a long while. Just really... relaxing. Between things getting far more smoothly worked through than I could have ever hoped for with the initial meeting again, the amazing food and hospitality of the Vulkus, and being with friends and loved ones again, it finally felt like I could ease back a little. That my world wasn't all gloom and doom with brief flickers of happiness. Nulidia felt... more distant now, which I desperately needed.
No, work could wait. I could start checking over the Garkin tomorrow. They'd gotten her plugged into everything and set up in the upper alchemy and medical lab already, by the sounds of it, so I wasn't exactly worried about it. I didn't even know if the essence scan on her was done, anyway. Kada shivered and nuzzled into my chin, even as I rested there and just let myself... soak up the feelings and relax...
I think I'm finally fully recovered from the surgery I had. Hopefully I can get things going on a regular schedule again, as far as my writing is concerned. This chapter we've got a new proofreader, so hopefully standards should be even higher than before!
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