Eternally Bound: Part 11

Eternally Bound: Part 11

----- Disorientation -----

There was an excitement in the air.  Lion's Arch had been transformed, as it had for years, into a play-land for spirits and candy-corn driven activities, as the border between realms thinned.  The sky was dark, the city illuminated by lights and various jack-o-lanterns merchants set out as decorations.  While the sea-themed city wasn't known for its hospitality, being a city founded by pirates, here, in the light of a jagged smiling moon, a festive mood hung over all that ventured there on this Mad King's Night.  Most everyone wore costumes, as children ran around asking for candy.

Demitra hadn't seen this side of Lion's Arch, as it was the first time she had been in Tyria during this time of year.  The elaborate decorations were heart-warming, and children's laughter made the Elonian happy she was there to bear witness.  She wore a modified version of a traditional witch's outfit.  It consisted of a small frilly dress, moments away from exposing her bottom, and a tight corset which threatened to release her breasts with only the slightest of movements.  She wore thigh-high spider-webbed stockings with long heels, each step thumping causing a ripple of her breasts as she walked.   The outfit was made complete with a tall dark purple witch's hat and broom, which was imbued with the power of levitation when activated.

"Oh how sexy and cute!" Ember was positively ecstatic.  Whether it was the due to their mission to the Mad Realm, the possibility of finding Valandra's sword, fighting Kievva, or the excitement of the festivities, Demitra wasn't sure.  But Ember had an unusually large grin on her face.

"Thank you, dear heart," Demitra looked over the woman's fiery outfit.  "And, you are, indeed, hot!"

Paige and Ari burst into laughter.

"She's definitely on fire, tonight!" Paige joked.

Ember shrugged.  "Outfit matches my sword, so…"

"And you have your gauntlets, Demi?" Paige noticed the woman's bare hands.

Demitra pulled the guantlets from her side pouch, regarded them hesitantly.  "I must admit: I have not been eager to put these on so quickly after finally having them removed.  While they I may be bound to this vessel, with Valandra's… occupancy… it does seem to adversely affect me.  Ice magic could be advantageous, to be certain, but it seems to play havoc whenever it so chooses."

"I can help with that, love.  You sure you don't want me to do it for you?" Ember offered.

Demitra raised an eyebrow at her fiance.  Despite her agreement to drop the matter, Ember seemed to always be eyeing the bracers, undoubtedly due to their link to the late Valandra.  Demitra tried to dismiss the woman's affection for Valandra, even though the tapestry from the vault of the women embraced continually flashed in her mind when she'd think of them.  "You would no doubt rekindle your argument to wear them," Demitra said, a bit more scornfully than she wished to.

Ember raised her hands in offense.  "Look, I was just offering because you looked… unwilling to."

Demitra sighed.  "I was just beginning to enjoy my hair being its natural color.  I suppose though, for this ritual to work, we must all wield our respective artifacts."  She slid the glove on.  Instantly the hair falling from her hat turned a chalk-snowy white.

"I wish there was another way, but I've looked through all the texts I have access to, and I really think you're correct: We must channel our respective powers into a certain point within the Mad Realm."

Ari removed her spooky hood a moment, not used to the restriction the face-mask caused.  "So is there anything I need be aware of?"

"Just don't fall off the platforms.  You'll be sent straight back to the cauldron here in Lion's Arch, and we'll have to traverse the breach again.  Something I'm sure our stomachs wouldn't necessarily enjoy," Paige said, adjusting her outfit.  She wore an outfit becoming of a character she'd read in a book, and it barely constituted as a negligee.  Her cheeks were red and grew deeper when she caught the Elonian's emerald and sapphire eyes staring.  "Um… I know it's a bit… risqué, and I was a bit nervous to wear it in public… but, if the holiday is about being something you aren't…"

Demitra smiled, pursed her lips and kissed the air.  "Something you are not?  Lady Paige Dejarin, you are always lovely!"

Paige cleared her throat.  "You… um, you know what I mean, Demi."

Ari glanced to the women, then back to Ember, puzzled over the rapport.  "Um… Ember, I used to run with a charr that was always on fire.  It was ugly, but you make it look sexy."  She tried a heartfelt attempt to return Demitra's attention back to her fiance.

Ember shrugged.  "I like it."

Ariadne's face deadpanned.

Demitra winked at Paige, then turned back to Ember.  "I am anxious to go, and if I have anxiety, I am quite certain you are about to die, dear heart."

"Yes, please.  I haven't been able to let loose in a while.  I look forward to this.  (And, of course, to helping you.)"  Ember added, forgetting herself in the moment.

The women ventured to the town hub, where casters maintained magical doorways leading to various points within the Mad Realm.  It was a relatively common practice for adventuring parties to travel there; the Mad King's Labyrinth had fortune seekers and loot-gatherers braving the Mad King's endless minions.  And, the Mad King's own Lunatic Court drew in those vying for championship titles.  There was even a clock tower, which pitted adventurers in a race to the top, with its sinking and spiraling motion causing most to end up back in the exit cauldron within Lion's Arch.  The Mad King had a special way about him.  While maniacal and a tyrant in life, he had become more of a trickster, seemingly enjoying watching mortals within his machinations.  Yet, it was said that those trapped after the season was over would remain - furthermore the minions which he threw at combatants were anything but jokes.  Thus, a cautiousness came from the group as they approached the doorway portal.

The door in the archway creaked open, revealing a star field nebulae within the ripple of reality.  Ember took Demitra's hand and gave it a squeeze.  Demitra smiled reassuringly at Ember.  Paige took in a breath, nodding to Ariadne.  All women stepped into the gateway.  At once, all felt as though their insides exploded, breaking apart into a million particles, which flew over a great distance before reconstituting in a violent compression.  As their collective vision returned, they saw their surroundings had changed, and now stood in a crowded mausoleum within the Mad Realm.

Ari turned to vomit; Paige almost did the same but was able to stave it off.  Demitra and Ember looked at each other.  Both had felt the sensation before: Demitra had traveled to the Realm of the Djinn and Ember had felt the same during her past visions.

"Felt like a bad waypoint ride," Ari said, as she wiped her mouth, then put back on her hood and
mask.

"It's okay.  You get used to it," Ember said, having experienced realm travel before.  She tried her best to sound considerate and confident; her hand, however, was already on the hilt of her weapon.

Demitra took in a breath, looked through the gate in front of them.  Beyond was a world of arid floating mesas and swirling clouds of orange and black.  In the far distance the floating clock tower traveled along its own spiraling path.  "The Mad Realm," she said in awe.

"This is such an incredible adventure," Paige excitedly burst.

"Such is life, Lady Paige Dejarin!" Demitra looked over her shoulder and winked at the woman, which made Paige blush at her own inexperience.

Ember reached forward barely touched the bars of the mausoleum to see them melt like candle wax.  She looked to her companions.  "Well, it doesn't look like we're stuck here.  A good sign?"






"As long as he doesn't melt us like that, then yeah, I'll take it as a good sign, captain," Ari chuckled.

"We should definitely be on guard," Paige suggested.  "Guard Captain Ember, lead the way."

They stepped onto a floating overlook, higher than the other platforms.  Each isolated island bobbed on its own accord, some with dry brambles decorating it, others with sharp jagged rocks or candy corn protrusions within patches of pumpkins.  Under them, a seemingly endless void of darkness; above a swirling cone of orange smoke.  The large center topmost platform crackled, with vivid orange and red wisps with coalesced into a large figure with a giant flaming pumpkin for a head.

Paige's jaw dropped.  "That's… That's really him!  Mad King Thorn!"

Ari raised an eyebrow beneath her mask.  "What the hell were these costumes for then?" came a muffled complaint.

Ember smiled at her subordinate and joked, "So our armor doesn't get pumpkin guts on it."

The Mad King laughed a maniacal guttural laugh, one that instantly invoked both fear and unease.

"I am perplexed," Demitra said, looking at the giant pumpkin-headed being.  "If we have been discovered, why has he not attacked us?"

Paige shook her head, pulling her eyes off the insanity that was the Mad King.  "This is one time I don't want to stand around asking questions.  We came here for a mission, let's get on with it.  We're in the Mad King's Realm right?  Then I'm going to start the ritual; maybe we can work it from here."  Paige took an uncharacteristic stance, but from the moment she stepped into the realm, her stomach was tied into knots and she couldn't help the feeling that something here never stopped staring at her.  She was ready to bring this stint into another world to a quick resolution.

Ember drew her weapon, which sparked to life with fire, her other hand glowing as if it were the embodiment of her name.  "I say we go down there and show him what-"

Paige pulled her torch, which lit itself at her unheard command.  "Ember, please.  If we can do this and be gone from this cursed place…"  She sighed.  "I believe I can do this," she said. With a nod from Ember, she closed her eyes and began to draw in what ambient sands she could to empower it through her artifact.

A laugh from the Mad King forced her eyes back open.  "Leaving so soon?  Come now… don't you want to play my game?"  Skeletal hands clapped together, sending the gathering sand-cloud far from their reach.

"No!"

"Oh, don't worry.  If you defeat my minions and play with me, I'll bring back your precious sand.  Refuse and you'll just have to stay here… for eternity!" He barely got the last word out before bursting into laughter again.

"But…" Paige was certain no game the Mad King wanted to play would be fair.  "What guarantee do we have you'll keep your word?"

He held a boney hand over his flaming chest.  "I swear on my mother's life.  Oh wait!  I don't have a mother!  Then, I swear on someone else's mother!" the monster cackled.

"He is… toying with us," Demitra frowned.

Ember echoed the Mad King's laugh.  "I like him," she said coyly, with a look to her future wife.  "May I eat him?"

Demitra winked.  "Only me, dear heart."

Paige blushed, tried to ignore the enticing comment, and cleared her throat.  "Well, it seems the sands are suspended over there; he may very well be keeping his word."

"Yeah, but isn't he known for games?" Ari asked.

"Yes, but all games have rules.  So… we just follow the rules and we'll get this set right."

"Too true, Paige Dejarin!" said the Mad King.

Demitra raised an eyebrow.  "He… knows your name?"

"How do you know me?" Paige shouted over the Mad King's laughs.

"Best me, and perhaps you will know!" came a smug rebuttal.

Ember was absolutely about to burst, practically bouncing up and down.  "He's right there!  Let's go get him!  I may have been too slow to reach Balthazar, but he's right there!  And, he's literally asking for it."  She looked back to Paige, a literally burning need to fight.

"Let's break his kneecaps!" Ari shouted.

Paige nodded.  "Then, Guard Captain Ember, would you like to lead the charge?"

Ember hadn't heard the entire question, was already leaping down onto the central mesa.  She landed bodily onto a giant candy-corn elemental, her flame sword melting through the monster.  She gave an excited shriek, then sprinted to her next victim.

Paige's eyes were wide at the small woman's energy.  Her prowess never ceased to amaze her, and she was attracted to her raw strength.  She smiled as she watched her captain, knowing her decision of promotion was incredibly justified.  "Wow.  She's really-"

"Something?  Indeed.  Tis why I shall wed that woman."  Demitra had the same proud expression.

Ariadne chuckled at the women, then jumped down, her staff finding its way through three glowing skeletons.  She quickly twirled, sending all three against a mausoleum wall, shattering as they hit.

Paige decended, sending sent out a necrotic energy blast from a scepter, then channeled energies from her torch onto several approaching plastic spiders.  They melted, fused to the ground in a manifested sandstorm of heat and pressure.

Demitra bolted directly to the mad king, called upon her Djinn magic to manifest.  With four arms she would unleash with full force upon the creature.  Yet… nothing happened.

The mad king hackled.  "Djinn?  Djinn magic does not work here in my Mad Realm.  Do yourself a favor and just disappear!"  The Mad King swiped at Demitra to send her flying off the platform and into oblivion.  Only, she shattered into glass shards which dove into the bony skeletal hand and exploded.  The Mad King staggered backward.

Demitra was on the other side of her adversary, along with two other Demitras.  "Do you believe me to only know Djinn magics?  Then, you are indeed a fool, for I am a mesmerizing force and a mirage you cannot touch!"  Her clones rant into his calves and exploded in clouds of confusion and disorientation.



Ember looked at Ari, ordering her troop.  "Now!" she shouted as she leaped into the air, flame sword aimed at the giant's unguarded body.  Her weapon found its mark, stabbing the Mad King.  Ember's body slapped against him with a thud as she used her protruding sword to keep from falling.  Had the woman had more weight, she would have gutted her enemy.

Ari took her captain's orders, ran with the force of a dolyak heard, slid on her knees and sliced at the Mad King's feet.  He toppled over flinging Ember to the mesa's edge.  She shoved her sword into the bedrock, halting her descent, desparately clinging onto its handle.

"Ember!" Paige was quick to run over and help her friend pull herself from the edge of oblivion.

The women regrouped, standing defiantly before the monster.

The Mad King sat up, and laughed maniacally.  "Do you think it wise to defeat me?"  He said comically.

Paige stepped forward, held her fist to the pumpkin-headed menace.  "That was the deal!  We bested you.  Do you yield?"

"Or do we have to smash some pumpkins?" Ember added.

The Mad King looked to each woman, his hollow pumpkin carved eyes narrowing to each.  Ari and Ember readied their weapons.  After a few minutes the Mad King chuckled.  "Very well; I suppose rules are rules, right?"  He held a hand over his chest.  "Let it be said that I am not without honor.  (I have a reputation to uphold, you know?)"

Collectively, Ember and Ari scoffed, their weapons still at the ready.

The Mad King held aloft a boney skeletal hand, pulling the sands back down and landed them at Paige's feet.  Paige watched with skepticism but was relieved when the king kept his word.  She considered the act for a moment, then decided to deploy her diplomacy.

"I have read stories of you; it is an honor to meet you at last."

"I am sure it is… (I'm very honorable, you know!)"

Ember deadpanned, leaned to whisper to Demitra.  "Are you sure I can't eat him?"

Paige continued.  "I would like to know, King Thorn, how it is you know my name."

A wider pumpkin-carved smile came from the Mad King.  "Oh, well, you see… It is because I am not King Thorn at all!"

"Then just who the hell are you if you're not the Mad King," Ari blurted.

A flurry of orange smoke wisps exploded from his body, causing the women all to cough and wave their hands to disperse it.  Through the haze, the Mad King was no longer the Mad King.  Instead, he was a she, and was in the shape of a human woman, whose ghostly-spectral mist made her features hard to discern, like a flickering candle.

"I knew it was a fake," Ember mumbled.

Ariadne tilted her head to the side, squinting to make out details.  "Who are you lady?" She asked with a callously thick voice.

"Is this a ruse?" Demitra murmured.

Paige took a step closer to the figure as the smoke dissipated.  The woman's ghostly appearance wavered for a moment, solidifying just enough for Paige to recognize her.  It was Vivian Havok, Paige's deceased mother.

[To Be Continued...]

 

Once a Thief: Part 1

Once a Thief: Part 1

----- Book of Secrets -----

---

Note: This chapter written by Harid/Paige/The Dejarins & Bampot/Six.  Compiled/Edited by me.

Pictures used, with permission, from Bampot/Six

The diminutive figure moved silently along the  outer wall of the estate, unseen by the passing guard below. Once the guard passed out of sight around the corner, the figure pulled a thin grappling line out of a pouch and tossed it to the roof's edge above. Quietly they swung across and scaled up the wall to the roof above.  Scurrying silently, the shadowy figure moved to a vantage point that gave a clear view of most of the Dejarin estate grounds.

Tapping a button on the side of the asuran tech goggles on their face, the figure began a scan of the property. Once complete, they moved along the rooftop, to a point where they had a clear view inside one of the upper rooms of an adjacent wing of the property. The large window was framed by thin curtains, giving the shadowy figure a view of the person inside.

Paige Dejarin.

Paige had been up late reading and preparing for next week's journey to Elona. Her dinner was half-eaten on a plate by the side of her desk with a cool cup of coffee laying forgotten where she had left it. She yawned and rubbed hands over her eyes as she shuts the book and sets it aside.

"Alright, I think that's it for one night."

The figure watched a moment, holding a finger up to her ear, listening to a static-filled voice over the asurian communicator.

"static ...st the survey th-static ...ime...do not engage...static"

The figure scanned the area, shutting the communicator off. The employer was annoying, and something about this job did not feel right. After taking another look around, the figure moved along the rooftop, to a position above the window. Slowly and carefully, they moved to the edge of the overhang, and picked a small mirror out of a pouch. Lowering a hand to the top of the window, the figure held the small mirror to take a peek inside at the 'target'.

Paige had taken the plates out to a small table that Sebastian was kind enough to provide for her dishes. Ordinarily she would have taken it to the kitchens herself but she was so exhausted from the long day, she could allow herself to be lazy once, right?

Once that was done, she turned and stood in front of a mirror as she reached up to unsnap the buttons to her dress.

Something didn't add up, the figure thought. The target her employer hired her to gather intel on, was the woman, the young woman in fact, in the room. But the rest of the intelligence provided did not seem true. This girl, was supposed to be a slave trader, using the winery as a front for several illegal activities. So far no evidence had been seen in the several nights she had ventured onto the property. So far her employer seemed to want more information about the layout of the property itself. Robbing the woman would not be hard to do...yet the feeling that something was off would not go away.

Paige walked from the bedroom into  the adjoined bath. The dark mocha colored woman  enjoyed these quiet moments alone. They were supposed to be for relaxation, but Paige was dedicated to doing right by her people. So by the bath was a small basket that had letters and checklists of things that needed doing. If the visitor followed her to the window to the next room, then she would notice that the room was humbly designed built for comfort rather than ostentatious display of wealth.

"All done...Five above, I just hope that this works. The brewers deserve a break."

The figure watched as Paige moved to the next room, and waited a moment before planning her next move.  She relocated her position, moving as quiet as a cat to another vantage point, keeping the Dejarin woman in sight through the window. Spotting the basket near the bath, she adjusted her goggles once again, using the asuran tech to zoom in. She frowned when the curtains obscured any relevant detail, she would have to either get closer and risk being seen, or come back another night.

But as the figure looked and searched, Paige jotted a few notes and tossed them in the basket. It seemed that she was reading a report on the restoration of land that was destroyed by fire, and clipped to it was a child's drawing of a woman and man standing next to a child. The word Damien was written. Intel said that Paige had no child, perhaps she was assisting in foster-age.

The shadowy figure chewed her lip a moment under her mask, pondering what to do. Nothing added up. She did not being lied to, so either this woman's illegal operations truly was hidden well, or her employer was lying to her. One way or another, she was going to get to the bottom of this and find out what was going on. The best bet would be the estate's basement or an underground area if there was one. She had been lucky so far not to be seen, the estate was well guarded and watched. Getting down off the roof undetected would be difficult enough, not to mention breaking into the basement.

She scanned the area once more before moving, checking on the woman.

Paige had been laying back in the tub. Her head leaned back against a provided cushion and a single leg kicked up to play with the sponge that dangled from a hook. She had a smile on her sweet looking lips and bubbles covered everything beneath her neck that wasn't sticking out. She looked at peace and contented.

The thief's leg slowly slid into Paige's room, as she quietly entered through the window. She paused in a crouch, listening to the water dripping off the young woman's leg in the next room, satisfied the target was still in the tub. She could easily take her belongings without risk,end this whole mess and get paid, but that was not how Kimura worked. A seasoned thief she may be, but she did have a code of honor.

She moved to Paige's desk, looking for documents and papers, not to mention any hidden compartments where any information confirming the true nature of her business may lie.

Paige's desk was locked. Because of course it would be, so there must be something good inside. But the lock was a simple lock, nothing a pick and a flick of the wrist couldn't solve. Thankfully it was well oiled so it barely gave a sound as it was opened,.

Contained within were documents and letters that were either stamped for morning delivery or were recently received in neat leittle piles. A casual glance through the open ones showed it was simply business missives and receipts. Requests for wine and drinks, completely above the table. Though there was an interesting note regarding a potential counterfeit and Paige seeking the services of an investigator to look into it.

Beneath the letters though was a small almost hidden cover that when opened revealed a leather bound book with no obvious labels and a simple latch.

Kimura made quick work of the lock and began skimming the pages and documents inside, not finding anything either incriminating or nefarious. She kept a careful ear to the sound of Paige in the next room, listening for indicators that she was either still in the tub, or was getting out, as she searched.

She lifted the cover at the bottom of the desk quietly, seeing the bound book inside. Perhaps this was the proof she had been looking for? She carefully picked up the book and set it on the desk, opening the latch.

Inside the book were secrets, but nothing at all nefarious. It was the recorded thoughts of a woman who grew to be at once appreciative of and disappointed in her father. It told the story of a woman with body issues because she was surrounded by women curvier than her and insecurities about her own femininity. But then, at some point, she took charge of her own life and inside were sketches of dresses and outfits of varying showiness.

It was nothing more than the private thoughts of a woman who wanted to find her place.

Kimura frowned and closed the book. She was a thief, an exceptional one at that, but she suddenly felt remorseful about invading this woman's privacy, not to mention her home. There was nothing here to indicate she was the target her employer made her out to be, which brought up more questions. For what reason? If her employer would go to the lengths he had by hiring her to survey her home, then this woman likely was in more danger.

Kimura hated being lied to. She carefully replaced the items back in the desk exactly how they had been, and stepped over to the window. The reasonable thing to do would be to leave the grounds, bring her payment back to the man who hired her, give him a piece of her mind, and then forget all about this business.

But instead...

Kimura stepped quietly into the doorway of Paige's bathroom and held a hand up.

"Do not scream... Do not move... Do not call out..." the masked Kimura said softly, only her green eyes visible through her mask. "No harm will come...I have but a single question."

She never gave up an employer's name, but she had to know. "Who is  Olgen Blackstone to you?"

Paige was shocked by the woman's sudden appearance, especially as she was very much nude. Even the bubbles were not enough coverage to stop her from feeling awkward about being so exposed. She raised a hand from the water and twisted her fingers to cast a spell, but one look at the woman's armaments at her hip told her that that was not a wise choice. So the fingers twisted again and reached slowly for a towel to wipe over her face.

"I don't know the name. Blackstone is a wine label I believe, but I don't know if that's related. Who are you and why are you here?"

Kimura simply watched Paige a moment. She was no spell-caster herself, but she knew the quick gesture was certainly the start of some kind of spell. She was relieved when the young woman's need for modesty outweighed the need of her to use some kind of spell to do Gods-know-what.

"I was here on behalf of someone who has an interest in you, and who sent me here under false pretenses. I am going to leave...unseen and unnoticed by your guards, and you have my word I will not be back. Watch your back where this Blackstone person is concerned..."

With that, she slowly backed up out of the doorway, toward the open window, her hands out to her sides away from the two sais at her hips, watching Paige.

"Wait! If someone's after me, and you aren't fulfilling the contract, then could you tell me more?"

She paused a moment, which went against everything her mind was screaming at her to do right now, which was leave. Get out as soon as possible. There could be armed guards and servants on their way up to the room right this very moment, signaled by a silent switch or a magical alarm the young woman could have set off.

"If I find out more...I...I can contact you." she said, looking toward the window then the door as she continued to back away from Paige.

She frowned.

"Not while I'm bathing I hope. My open court days are announced you know."

Kimura raised an eyebrow under her mask, then gave a quick nod, turning and running silently toward the window, disappearing into the night.

[To be Continued...]

 

Once a Thief: Part 3

Once a Thief: Part 3

----- Services -----

---

Paige buried her face in the pillow to muffle her moan, then after a solid minute of spasms and shivers, she rolled over, a large content smile plastered on her sweaty face.  She slid the asuran toy between the mattress and pillow and closed her eyes, blissfully exhaling a satisfied sigh.

"Satisfied?" came a voice from a dark corner of her bed chambers.

Startled the lady sprung up, wide-eyed.  Her hand instinctively went to the dagger on her nightstand, when it was abruptly halted, a hand covering her mouth.

"Don't move... Don't scream... Don't make a sound... "

This voice came from another female mere inches away from the head of her bed. If she hadn't made her presence known, Paige wouldn't have even been aware of her presence.  In fact, both were barely visible in the flickering light of the dying fireplace.

The woman by her head continued, "Not here to rob you, hurt you, anything like that.  We're simply here to talk.  It may be in yours and your House's best interest..."

"To comply," Tressa interrupted from the dark corner of the room.  She flash the yellows of her eyes to get the point across.

Kimura added, "Nod if you understand and agree; any other sound or movement and we bolt.  You wouldn't want that, believe me."

Paige took in a deep breath from her nose, then slowly nodded, which prompted a retreat of Kimura's hand.

"Good girl," Kimura said, stepping from the woman's headboard.  "if we were here to hurt ya, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."

"Then why are you here?" Paige squeaked the question out nervously.

Glowing red pulsed from the corner as Tressa took a step from the darkness.  Slowly her silhouette became visible to Paige.  She said nothing and not a sound was made from her mother movement.

"We're here to make an offer - one which would be beneficial to both of our parties, and keep your business, winery, and yourself... safe."

Paige suddenly became aware something had rolled from under her pillow. She bit her lip, reached to stuff the Asuran device back in its place.

Tressa leaped onto the bed, slapped her hand away from her pillow.  "Don't," she said, undoubtedly assuming it was a weapon.

Paige froze. To say the black and red woman was intimidating was in understatement.  The woman blushed. "It's uh... Not a weapon okay?  It's uh... personal.  Please let me have just a bit of privacy.  You've already seen me in my nothings..."

"If you're lying, my dagger will find its way into you.

Kimura looked to her companion but said nothing to her.  She regarded Paige with scrupulous eyes beneath her mask.  "She doesn't bluff you know.  You don't remember me, do you?"

Paige searched the woman's appearance, then having remembered, nodded. "You were... You were the one from before. You were here and you... warned me last time."

"I did. And you should listen to us now." Kimura plucked the robe from the rack and tossed it to the woman.

Tressa slinked slowly back into the darkness of the dimly lit room.  Paige slipped the robe on over her nude form and cautiously stood, facing her intruders.  Both with unblinking unapologetic eyes watching the woman dress.

A thought occurred to her. "Are you here because I reached out to the... uh... underground?" Paige wasn't sure if she used the right vernacular, having very little experience with such people.

Kimura raised an eyebrow, eyes darting to her partner before speaking again. "First, sorry for intruding like this again, but we could not exactly make an appointment.  As a show of faith-"

"We won't kill you," Tressa injected.

Kimura slightly sighed, then reached up and pulled her mask off. Her bright pink and white hair came bouncing out, one side longer the other shaved side.  She was young, not much older than Paige, with distinctive Canthan features. Her eyes were lime green against a very pale complexion that seemed to contain a pink hue. If one didn't know the business the woman was in, she would be considered quite cute.

"I am Kimura and this is Tressa, or perhaps you know of her other name, 'The Black Rose'."

Tressa immediately and visibly brightened her glow as she flashed a scornful glance at the woman.

"I don't generally associate," Paige stopped herself from inadvertently condemning the women. "I've not heard of her.  But, if there's business to discuss, I'd rather not do so here in my bed.  May we adjourn to my office?"

"One sight of a guard and we're gone.  You wouldn't want that trust me."

"And we'll return less... hospitably," the sylvari's voice came from the shadows.

"Again... She does not bluff."

The women adjourned to a room that was as much of an office as a cozy study, a place where Paige could both conduct business and read to get her mind off the affairs of the estate.  Kimura immediately propping herself up on a chest near a window - a habit of a quick getaway, while Tressa gravitated to the only darkened corner of the office.  Paige took a seat not behind her desk, but purposefully in a straightforward and appropriate manner.  She had begun to settle her nerves, now seemed to conduct herself gracefully.

"So this business you have for me?" Paige said crossing her legs and securing the robe.

"You know the name Blackstone?  Lord Remus Blackstone (of the Blackstone wineries), and his son Olgen?  You should.  Their your biggest competitor, aren't they?". Kimura adjusted her pistol holsters, making them accessible at a moment's notice.

Paige took note of the maneuver and frowned.  "No need for that," she said softly.  "But yes, I definitely know of them. Our major competitor, as you say. We'll, soon to be our past competitor given how business has been booming." The woman afforded herself a congratulatory smile.

"And if you recall, I mentioned Olgen sent me for dirt on you before. Well, now there may be another ploy..."

Tressa stepped forward, unceremoniously tossing Paige a bottle, who almost fumbled and dropped it. "A bottle of your wine, yes?" Tressa's voice was almost a whisper.

Paige took a moment to look over the bottle and shrugged.  "A bottle of In Dejar wine.  This is a bottle of our-"

"Look closely," the Black Rose interrupted.

The lady of the house did as instructed, peering closely at the bottle.  Her eyes traced its contents and shape before landing squarely on the label.  She raised an eyebrow.  "The crest is all wrong... It's... It's a fake…"

"Exactly!" Kimura added.  "Go ahead and try it; It's your wine, after all.  (Or, at least that's what all of Lion's Arch and every customer the Emporium was pushing this on thinks.)"

Paige popped the cork, frowning at the smell.  It was similar to her vineyard's, but a bit off… almost tainted.  She tipped the bottle back to sample the wine, immediately spitting it out.  "Fwaahhh!  That's-"

"Tasty, huh?"  Tressa had a smirk on her face, barely visible from her soft glow.

"That is what the Blackstones are delivering by the wagonload to the Emporium.  They are the once who hired me to surveil this place and your operation by feeding me false information.  And… there is more…  Tressa?" Kimura nodded to her colleague.

Tressa was hesitant about just how much information to divulge.  She decided on short direct statements to get her point across.  "A contract.  For your head."

"Someone is very threatened by you and your business," Kimura added.

Paige sighed, rubbed her forehead.  Things had been going well for their operations, and while Paige leaned toward optimism rather than its counterpart, she knew things were bound to go south at some point.  "Why?  I mean, this is such a small house.  We are hardly a Thackary or a Delaqua.  What threat do we pose?"

"You're a small house so far.  Word of your product spread quickly when it hit the market.  Before Olgen's swill started passing for In Dejar, that is."

"The festival you catered your wine at.  It gained you fame," Tressa said, her words tinged with a bit of annoyance at having to explain the entire ordeal.

"I suppose so.  The festival was a success and I've made contacts since," she paused, taking a deep breath in to assess the situation.  "What do we do to put an end to this?  An opportunity I believe you called it.  (And, I do tire of people breaking into my home, as well as having hits put out on me.)"

Kimura leaned back against the wall.  "We have a… personal vendetta against one of those involved in the plot to ruin you: the owner of the Emporium…"

"And I want to see justice brought to these characters.  The reason I sought your… expertise is because an investigation into one of our drake hatchling's death turned up foul play.  My belief it was to inject distrust, aimed at a woman who doesn't deserve it, and create dissension.  These seemingly random events may very well be tied together.  Perhaps a larger conspiracy to disrupt our operations?  I even have my theories on just who may be pulling the strings…"  Paige thought aloud.

"Which is?" Tressa stepped from the shadows, flashing yellow orbs.

"An inquest monster named Professor Lennk."

Kimura tasted the word, sticking out her tongue as she did so.  "Never heard of him," she said, hopping down off the chest.

"Well, if you wish to come tomorrow, I can tell you more.  And, we can discuss such things in private (without me in a robe)," Paige said, adjusting the robe which had become loose during their conversation.  "My people need security; my people need to trust that they are safe, and I, alone cannot do that."

"And, there is a whole underworld your people may not even know about.  That's where we come in," Kimura began.

Tressa pulled a dagger for effect.  "You cross us, I will show you just why they call me The Black Rose."

"Enough with the threats.  I have not raised a hand in anger, nor raised my voice.  I locked myself in here with you, in fact.  And, my spell focuses are in another room.  If you are here to provide services which will protect my people, then you'll never need fear me."

Tressa glowed a vibrant red and grinned.  It seemed, to her, the Lady of House Dejarin was deserving of the noble title - something she hadn't seen since their arrival.  She pulled back her hood, revealing fern leaves of black, accented by the same bio-luminescence.

Kimura cleared her throat.  "Forgive my associate.  Her side of our business is, well… let's just say the customers on the receiving end of her services never complain."

"They are not able to," Tressa seemed to take the description of her work as a compliment.  She twirled her dagger, affixing it to her belt in a smooth motion.  "So… trust then."

Kimura giggled beneath her breath at her sylvari friend.  "Myself, well… Heard of the Whistlefern heist?  Me.  The Graymoor bank robbery?  Me."  She smiled proudly of her accomplishments, brought both thumbs to her chest.  "I have a knack for getting in and out of places unseen and unheard.  Such services we will provide to you."

Tressa raised a thorny eyebrow.  "For a price, yes?"

Kimura nodded.  "Aye, a retainer, if you will."

"Then I suppose I am fortunate to work with the best.  The question, however, is just how much your services will cost me."

"Depending on the level of risk and such, may be a wee bit pricy, but our services are beyond worth it.  But…" Kimura flashed a look to Tressa, knowing the sylvari wouldn't like her next statement.  "We will charge fair prices for our services.  We're not here to gouge you or cheat you.  It will be a reasonable rate, I assure you.  Once you see what we can do, we can re-evaluate payment."

Paige nodded.  "And I suppose you will 'always be watching' for suspicious activities in the house and directed to our estate?"

"We have watched you all night in your room.  Did you even know we were there?"  Tressa said coyly.

Paige's cheeks grew red and she fidgeted with her hands for a moment, trying to retain the embarrassment.  Her voice cracked.  "Yes… Well, you don't have to brag about it.  Just…"

"It shows the quality of our work; we were in the room most of the evening, and you had no idea." Kimura pulled her mask back on to hide her grin.  Tressa followed suit, pulling her hood back on, her glow dimming as she did, only the yellows of her eyes still visible.

"Okay.  Point taken.  This retainer should ensure your silence on the matter then?"  Paige offered trying to mask the nervousness in her voice.  "Gods know, I can't have either of them know…" she said under her breath.

"We extend our trust by revealing ourselves to you.  Trust that we take our job seriously and nothing of this meeting will be made public that you do not desire."

Tressa plucked at a thorn growing from her arm.  "And remember: we got here easily.  I was hired to end you.  I could have.  We chose differently.  Trust, yes?"

"So we have an accord?"  Kimura said, stepping forward raising her hand to the noble.

Paige looked at her own hand, remembering the previous activity and the fact she hadn't washed up.  "You'll… um… understand why I can't shake your hand at the moment."

Kimura and Tressa both smiled wildly: Kimura's hidden beneath her mask; Tressa's obvious and not at all discrete.

Paige rubbed the back of her neck.  "You know where the servants garb is?  You can use that to come in and out of the house without raising suspicion, if you so choose to."

"We have already procured such things.  We know the layout of your grounds quite well…"

"As well as your bedchambers," Tressa jabbed.

Kimura tossed the blushing woman a small disk.  "This is an asuran-made device.  Set it in your window and press the button if you need us.  You won't see anything, but we will."

"Or, if that can't be done, purchase a black rose from the flower stand within Lion's Arch.  There is only one that has black roses," Tressa nodded.

Kimura was already at the window, opening it.  "Expect us soon," she said.

"Be ready for us… unlike this time," Tressa added, again poking at Paige.

Paige rubbed her temples.  "Yeah, because I always expect two women to just show up in my bedchambers out of the blue."  When she looked up, Kimura had vanished, Tressa silently gliding across the floor.

The sylvari paused and looked back over her shoulder, grinning a red glowing smile back at Paige.  "I believe your pillow is humming."

------

Tressa joined Kimura atop the roof of the house, overlooking the estate.  She shrugged, then decided to join the woman, leaning back and looking at the stars.

Kimura clicked her tongue, then also leaned back on the roof.  She sighed.  "You know… It really is quite a place."

Tressa looked around at the grounds.  "Not many wooded areas, but the sky is clear to soak in the moonlight.  I suppose it isn't… that bad."  She removed her hood, tussled her own ferns which began to pulsate a deep red.

"No, it isn't.  Besides, we needed a place…"

"We?"

Kimura sighed again.  "Okay, fine.  I needed a place."

A thorny eyebrow was raised at a thought.  "Do… Do all of you humans do that?"

Kimura looked at Tressa as she pulled her own mask off, the moonlight making her own lime-eyes glow.  "Do what?"

"You know… What she was doing with that device," Tressa's own glow inadvertantly shone brighter at the question.

A warm smile came over Kimura.  "When the mood is right, sure.  Hmmm… who knows, one of those could be whittled from some of your shedding bark," she giggled, teasing Tressa.  It wasn't something she could do often, but the sylvari's knowledge of intimate human relations was almost comical.

The sylvari made a repulsed face, but she looked back to the stars, letting her mind wander on the subject silently.

[To be Continued...]

 

Eternally Bound: Part 10

Eternally Bound: Part 10

----- Confession -----

DISCLAIMER: This chapter contains images and text which is meant for mature audiences only.  While these depictions aren't too graphic, reader discretion is advised.

Demitra was literally jumping up and down in front of Ari and Six, showing her engagement ring off.  While she didn't know the women that well, their constant presence had allowed them to become acquaintances the Elonian had come to respect.  Ari had a sense of duty about her, an aura of discipline and eagerness to learn and adapt that reminded Demitra of the mentality of the Sunspear in Elona.  Six, on the other hand, was a difficult one to figure out.  Demitra had caught her staring at her gauntlets of ice with scrutiny, and had felt on more than one occasion the teen's internal turmoil, about not only Demitra's 'Djinniness,' but a hesitation about her own self that Demitra felt an acquaintance with and could relate to.

"This going to be how you say hello to people now?" Ember playfully scoffed.

"Oh, love, such a thing is incredible; would you not wish for me to show off?"

"Really?  Ember, that is such wonderful news!" Six exclaimed.

Ariadne nodded.  "Yes, congratulations!"

Demitra wrapped her arms tightly around her fiance, pulling her into a tight squeeze.  Ember's face was absorbed into the woman's busty bosom, her muffled cries of alarm barely escaping, drowned by Demitra's excited laughter.

Paige came to stand with the women in the main foyer.  "Demi, I believe Ember's trying to breathe," she said with a grin.

Six raised her eyebrows at the scene for a moment, then softly snickered.

"Apologies, dear heart.  I am… I am just excited," Demitra said sheepishly, releasing her hold.

"I know, hon.  It's cute.  Really."  Ember beamed a smile at her lover.

Sebastian and a few extra hands finished importing the boxes and bags from various shops the women had visited in Divinity's Reach.  Paige's status as a noble came with a level of assurance from the shops that items may be tried on in the privacy of the estate, rather than in the marketplace itself.  The women had practically split in all directions upon arrival anyway, so here, in the main receiving room, with the luxurious furnishings of House Dejarin, the women could try them on and decide which best suited their strategic purpose.

"This shall be like fashion week in Vabbi!" Demitra clapped her hands together.  "Who is first?"

Paige glanced around, then decided to volunteer as to lead by example; walking around the corner to change.

Demitra pulled Ember to her, snuggled with her fiance.  "I cannot wait to see your outfit, too, love."

"I… really wasn't too sure what look to go for, so I have a few.  I just… want to look good," Ember said uncomfortably.

"The thing you choose to wear shall be amazing, no matter what it is, for you will be wearing it!" Demitra kissed the shorter woman's forehead.

Ari leaned down to Six and whispered, "You think they need a private room?"

The teen snickered.

"Now witness the masked terror, Shelarbra, Sea Witch of Legend!" Paige said stepping into view.  She was clad in orange and reds, with bone protrusions and ornaments decorating the small ripped top and a kabuki mask encircling her face, only her hazel eyes visible.  "They say no one saw her face, but a sashay of her hips could start and end wars!"  She bucked her hips side to side, flapping her skirt a bit awkwardly.

Six hopped and clapped for Paige; Ari shared in her reaction.  Demitra blushed and giggled, thinking of their previous interaction, while Ember grunted and raised an eyebrow.

"This a real person?" she asked.

"Well… It's a story.  A story told to explain why a king of Ascalon lost a war long, long ago.  See, the king was simply incompetent and he needed someone to blame for his own failures.  Thus, the story of Shelarbra was concocted.  See, back when…"

"I get it, already," Ember huffed.

"It is quite lovely, Lady Paige Dejarin," Demitra offered.

Paige slid the mask up and smiled.  "Thank you all.  I… I may have gone a bit overboard tying my ideas into the lore I've researched."

"That's alright; we all know you, Paige," Six smiled at her friend, patting her on the back as she returned to the group.

Demitra looked once more at her outfit, noticing details she hadn't before.  When her gaze was caught by the woman, she offered a wink.  Paige flushed, quickly hiding behind the mask.  Between them, Ember's red eyes witnessed the exchange and silently laughed, knowing all too well the look Paige had received, and one need not be an empath to feel the tension in the air.

"I'll go next," Ember said, excusing herself.

"Huh… Usually the captain holds back," Ari said in a lower tone.

"She seemed pretty excited at the marketplace.  I think she secretly enjoys dressing up, even if she doesn't show it."  All eyes turned in unison to Demitra, who had been the embodiment of excitement for the occasion.

She blinked a few times.  "What?" she asked, clueless.

The women glanced at each other, then burst into laughter.  After a few minutes, Demitra repeated her question, again causing uncontrollable belly laughs.

Ember's appearance lit up the room, halting their exchange.  It was a suit of fire and flame, metallic fragments and armor pieces laid over top.  The helmet was of horns and spikes, a facemask of a god.

"B-Balthazar?" Ari's hand drifted to her weapon, instinctively.

Six simply raised her eyebrow.

"Um… Ember?  It's lifelike, sure.  But… I mean, isn't it still a touch too soon?  Some that worshiped him lost their god."  Paige tried to be as delicate as she could.

Ember pulled her sword of fire, completing the ensemble.  "We aren't going to a temple, you know.  This is both armor and a costume," she said, completely satisfied with the practicality.

"It is very 'Ember,' with the sword and total look," Ari said nodding.  "I have something similar to wear," she said walking toward the other room.  "I'll go next."

Demitra regarded her fiance's costume.  "How would I… Where would I?" she asked, only half teasing.  "Does the helm even detach?"

Ember blinked beneath the mask.  "Why would I want to remove the helmet?"

Six and Paige both giggled.

Ariadne strolled out in a altered version of the Balthazar costume.  Her boots were heavy and thudded with each long stride.  "I believe it's a norn-inspired version of a human god.  Kinda fun, right?"

Demitra tapped her chin a moment, looking at both.  "Would it not raise suspicions, having two Balthazar-types?"

Paige scratched her head.  "Not entirely sure.  There are multiple kinds of witches and mummies and such, I'm sure, but to have multiples of a specific god may defeat our purpose of staying a bit low-key."

"I have some other options," Ember shrugged.

"Okay," Paige said, patting Six on the back, "after Six and Demi have a turn, we can circle back, yeah?"

"Oh!  Me?  Um… Okay," Six said, a bit startled the attention was suddenly on her.  She went to hurriedly put on her outfit, reemerging in a very form-fitting outfit of blacks and greens.  The ensemble was topped with a pointed sedge hat, talismans with runes hanging off the brim.  While the top was clearly not part of the outfit's design, it complimented it well.  "The man who sold it to me said that I didn't really need the top, but I bought it anyway," Six explained.

Ari laughed.  "He probably just wanted to see your tits."

"Ari!" Paige jokingly scolded, playfully smacking the woman's arm.  She regarded the teen.  "Wow, Six… It's very nice," she said with a gracious smile.

Six shrugged a shoulder, returned to the group, then began digging at the thong riding up her bottom.

Lady Paige cleared her throat and slapped Six's hip.  "Six, perhaps excuse yourself or use your spells to… pluck it out."

Six blinked a few times then nodded.  She honestly didn't know how people wore such clothes, and would have been perfectly happy entering into the Mad Realm skyclad.  Grumbling and walking a bit bow-legged from the material, Six ventured away from the group to handle her problem.

"Well, I do have another outfit, but if you want to go, Demi?" Ember rubbed the Elonian's back.

"Oh, it is quite alright; I am having a very good time as it is.  Go, my love.  Let us see what else you have," Demitra urged.

Ember gave her a peck on the cheek before running to the back room.  She was gone for a bit longer than anyone anticipated and after a few thuds, Paige urged Demitra to check on her.  The Elonian took a few steps forward asking if her help was needed, before Ember jumped out saying, "Boo!"

Demitra shrieked, took a step back, and almost manifested weapons, before she realized it was Ember's costume.

The woman wore an outfit designed to look like the Mad King!  Her arms were magically skeletal, with fire escaping her own exposed skeletal form.  Her head was that of a jack-o-lantern on fire.  Playing the part, she laughed maniacally.

"Oh! The Mad King himself!  Wow!  That's a great look, Ember, with the fire (of course the fire!)"  Paige applauded, triumphantly.  "Hey Ari, take a look!"  She elbowed the woman.

Ari had removed her armor, was putting it into her pack.  She looked up with wide eyes.  "Whoa!  Captain!  That is amazing, and accurate, if I remember correctly from seeing the Mad King last year."

The pumpkin head looked to Demitra and tilted.  "Love?  Do you approve?"

"I… I do not wish to be dismissive, my heart.  But, would this not yield the same results as two Balthazars?  This Mad King is surely not so mad as to mistake your costume for his person… If he were to see a smaller version of himself, we are likely to be discovered, are we not?"  Demitra tapped her chin.

"Quite honestly, the Mad King may very well take a likeness of him as flattery.  Yet…" Paige trailed off, trying to find the words.

"If he shows up, I'll consume him."  Ember said as though it were a viable option.

Paige sighed.  "Ember, even if you could… eat him…" Her nose wrinkled at the thought.  "Once the ritual starts, it can't be interrupted.  We have only one shot at it."

Ember crossed her arms, stuck her tongue out underneath the pumpkin, then retreated back to Demitra.

Ari hoisted her pack onto her shoulder.  "I am sorry, I must be going."

"Oh, no!  Wait!  I have one more costume I wanted you to see.  That is… if you don't mind Demi?  I know you haven't gotten a turn and you were the most excited…" Paige blinked large cat-like eyes, using a tool in her arsenal she saved for special occasions.

Demitra nodded.  "Very well, Lady Paige Dejarin."

While Paige happily ran to the backroom to get ready, a thought occurred to Ember, and she mischievously grinned beneath her mask.  "Demi, I've seen her next costume.  She has a hard time getting it on… perhaps you could help her?"  Whether the pumpkin helm did its job and shielded her from the empath, or something about Demitra's own excitement blocked it, Ember was happy to see Demitra take her up on her suggestion.

The Elonian strolled to the other room, followed Paige's path.  She rounded the corner and stopped abruptly.  In her view was the slender dark-skinned woman, bent over, struggling with a sheer lace thong half way up her thighs, caught on interlacing cobweb stockings.  Demitra's lips curled as she realized Ember's subterfuge and allowed herself to silently take in the sight a moment before she spoke.  "Lady Paige Dejarin, I am here to assist…"

Paige yelped, staggered, not able to move her legs and regain her footing due to the panty's restraint, and she toppled over, landing much as she had done earlier, this time with only the webbed stockings on - her bare bottom clumsily exposed in the air.

Demitra's abilities picked up the unexpected panic and embarrassment from Paige, and at once she felt sorrow for her actions.  She bent down, helped the woman sit up, and handed her the outer dress of the costume as cover.  "I… I am very sorry Paige," she said beneath liquid eyes.

Paige held the dress over her body, attempting some amount of modesty.  "I… I'm just not as comfortable (with my body)."  Her face was red both from exposure and from the confession.

"You should not be," Demitra said as she put her arms over the woman's naked shoulders.  "I happen to find you quite alluring; exquisite, in fact," Demitra said in almost a whisper.

Her hot breath made Paige's skin crawl, and the woman almost fell into the sensation, longing to drop the dress and give into the temptation.  Soft lips came to the woman's cheek and she froze.

"I shall let you dress; forgive me, Paige," Demitra said softly, before rising and exiting the room.

Paige watched the woman's bottom sway as she left, and let out a deep breath.  "What… what are you thinking, Paige," she whispered to herself.

Ember took Demitra's hand and gave it a squeeze.  "Everything looked okay, hon?" she teased.

Demitra's face had darkened.  "Yes, love.  I… You knew what you were doing."

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Ember protested, grinning under her mask. She reached down and grabbed a handful of her fiance's rear.

Demitra slapped the skeletal hand from her butt.  "Stop that; I wish not to be gropped by the Mad King!"

"Could be fun," Ember giggled.

Paige surfaced after a few minutes clad in the web stockings and small lacy sheer dress, topped with a long-sleeved blouse which tightly hugged the woman's frame.  "This, ladies, is Arch-seer Dranilian!  She was (as you can see) a seductress: a phantom and wraith who could take on human form to find ladies to add to her… um… harem," she said slightly blushing.  Her eyes were made to avoid Demitra during her entire presentation.

Ember giggled and joked,  "So you gonna add Demitra to your harem?"

Paige's eyes grew wide and her face flushed.  "Um… What?  I mean… It's just a story… I wasn't… Oh, I- I wasn't suggesting… I…"

Demitra locked eyes with the woman and smiled flirtatiously.  "Tis as lovely as you, Lady Paige Dejarin."

Paige's entire body was as shaky as her voice.  "So… Who, um… Who's next?" she asked, changing the subject and retreating back to the group.

An unheard suggestion was whispered from Demitra to Ember, with a nod of the pumpkin's head in agreement.  The Elonian raised up with the largest smile on her face.  "I shall go!" she exclaimed walking to what had become the modeling location.  "This first thing is not a costume, but a magical transmutation potion I purchased.  I was told it is truly terrifying, so you may wish to take a few steps back," her voice was coyly spooky.

Ari laughed.  "Well, we can't say we weren't warned.  Do your worst then, a good scare is welcomed!"

Demitra uncapped the potion, swirled it within the vile a few times.  The bright orange liquid illuminated the room.  With a slight grin, she brought it to her lips, taking the smallest of sips.  At once, orange smoke swirled around her person in a spiral which covered her body.  A puff of the orange smoke interrupted the spiral, deforming and scattering it.  In Demitra's place appeared a small, stuffed griffon.

Paige, Ari, and even Ember all simultaneously awed.  Paige forgot the previous events, as the sheer cuteness of the stuffed animal overwhelmed her.  She ran up and knelt beside the transformed Demitra, almost sliding on her knees.  Ember and Ari followed.

"You are so cute!" Paige said in singsong.

"Am I not… terrifying?" Demitra's voice squeaked out like the voice of a fairy.

Ember giggled, her eyes beneath her helm exclaiming stars.  "You are amazingly cute, sweetheart!"

"I may pass out from the cuteness: death by cuteness!" Ari laughed.

"The vendor said it was a terrifying tonic.  I… I believe I have been swindled."

"Oh let him go on this one.  It's truly adorable and this has just made my day."

"You are very adorable, honey!" Ember said, still basking in the cuteness.

Paige couldn't stand it any longer.  She reached to pet the toy griffon, while Ember followed suit and scratched behind Demitra's ears.  She began to giggle and involuntarily thump her back paw against the floor.

"Th-That tickles!" Demitra exclaimed, the sensation of the touches almost sending her body into euphoria.

"This is just the best thing!" Ember said stroking the griffon's back.

Paige moved her hand under Demitra's beak, scratching a spot beneath her chin.  "How's that?"

Demitra's tail wagged and she collapsed onto Paige's lap from the pleasure.  "Oh… Oh my… That feels wondrous," her tiny voice said.

Ari chuckled and stood.  "I really should be going now," she announced.

Paige and Ember both dismissed the woman at the same time, then realized they had done so, looked at each other and laughed.

Returning their attention to Demitra, they saw the woman back to normal, with her head still in Paige's lap as she moaned softly, eyes closed.  Paige paused stroking her hair for a moment, looked up at Ember with a guilty look.  "Should I… um… stop?"

Ember shrugged.  "It's still cute."

"Do not stop, Lady Paige Dejarin," Demitra whimpered.  "This is ecstasy; no wonder animals enjoy it so."

Paige swallowed the lump in her throat, continued running her hand through the woman's snow-colored hair.  "Well, I know I always enjoyed my hair being played with.  I'm like a cat in that way, I suppose."

Demitra fell into the moment and purred.  It took a few more minutes before she opened her eyes, realized she now had legs, no paws, no tail and no longer had wings.  Her eyes grew wide at the realization.

"Having fun?" Ember giggled.

The woman sat up quickly, looking sheepish and apologetic.  "Sorry, love.  I… I was caught up in th-."

"In ecstasy?" Ember took pleasure in seeing Demitra's uncomfortableness.

"I… Oh!  I will go put on the second costume of which I purchased!"  Demitra quickly turned, vanished into the other room.

Paige nervously wrung her hands.  "I… uh, couldn't… not pet her as a cute stuffed griffon.  I… Um, sorry about that."

Ember snickered.  "Usually that's my line.  But don't be.  It was cute.  She's always so afraid to let herself go after all that's been going on.  It was good to let her escape; you enjoyed it too, didn't you?"

The red eyes of the woman flashed at Paige from beneath the pumpkin mask.  She was suddenly very aware they had been left alone.  Having known each other since they were little, it wasn't an uncommon occurrence, but Paige felt the guilt of having seen Ember at her most exposed and vulnerable, and had been struggling to not look at her in that way.  With Demitra around, it seemed easy to do: the Elonian exuded sexuality, but here in the flickering fireplace light, alone with Ember, her mind raced.  "I… did," was all she was able to say.

Demitra reappeared, walking out in nothing but straps and what appeared to be a tiny leather bikini made to resemble bats.  The entire outfit consisted of belts and straps and harnesses that appeared to have more in common with a kinky night's rendezvous than it did as a costume.  "Tis a traditional haunted Nightmare Court disguise, yes?  How do I loo-"

"Oh Demi!  Um… W-wow.  I'm uh… It's quite revealing," Paige's face was beet red, her eyes locked on the woman's body.

"Oh my!" Ember said, pretending to faint on the floor.  Neither Paige nor Demitra got the joke - both thinking the woman had actually collapsed.

"Ember!" Paige said, sliding over to the woman.

"Ember?" Demitra quickly bent down to help her love, almost completely falling out of her top.

Paige looked over, immediately zeroing in on the woman's bosom, brimming from the leather, seconds away from being completely exposed.  She tried her best to avert her eyes.  "Oh Goddess," she murmured.

"Love, did I frighten you?  My apology!"

"Who sold you that as a Mad King's night costume, Demi?"  Smoke began to find its way out of the pumpkin mask as she stared at her lover's look.


"Indeed; he spoke a bit of Elonian… Perhaps there was a miscommunication?" Demitra tapped her chin, considering.

"Demi… I'm pretty sure the merchant was a pervert who just wanted to see you in something that's so (Oh Goddess!)… revealing…" Paige's breaths were short.

Demitra looked down at herself.  "I thought it a bit too small to be frightening…"

"You have to feel our reaction.  It's not fright… It's… Oh you must feel it from us!"

"I have been attempting to suppress," she said removing the blocks.  Instantly, the women's lustfully charged emotions crashed into her like a tidal-wave.  She breathed heavily, longingly, almost shutting her eyes at the overwhelming sensation of passion.  "Oh!  Oh, my… I… You both… It is almost… too much…"

Ember squirmed on the floor.  "You're making it worse, Demi!"

Paige gasped, rose to her feet, retreating to a nearby desk.  She opened a drawer, pulled out a bottle of spirits, panting as if she'd just ran a marathon.  "Goddess, I need a drink."  She downed a double with one gulp, leaned against the desk, fingernails scratching at the wood.  "I… I can't get you out of my mind.  Either of you.  Perhaps this bottle will help with that," she said a bit louder than she'd intended.  The confounding feelings and salaciousness had finally caught up to her.

Ember looked at Demitra.  "Go.  Talk to her.  You're better at this than I am, anyway.  I'll go slip into my final outfit."  The small woman pressed her lips to the Elonian's then quickly retreated back to the changing room.

Demitra took in a deep breath, approached the woman.  Paige was fumbling with the cork, nervously and unsuccessfully attempting to put it back on.  She softly whispered, "Paige?"

Paige screeched, knocked over the bottle as she whirled around, completely shaken.  "Oh… um… Demi… Hi. Uh, I was just… Well, I'm really sorry about that.  I, didn't mean to put you on the spot like that… I… um… Well, you can already feel it from me, can't you?  You already know."  Her voice was wavy and she stuttered more than once, but she felt as though she got her point across.

Demitra nodded, adjusted her top to re-situate a breast that had become exposed.  She saw Paige's struggle not to stare at her nipple-ring, and wanted this conversation to be a serious one.  She reached out and took the woman's hands, smiling warmly.

"I'm sorry, Demitra.  I didn't want to make any of this awkward.  I just- Woah, Demi!"  Paige was unknowingly pulled into the woman, who wrapped her arms around her and whispered in her ear.  She gasped as their bodies co-mingled, feeling the warmth through the threadbare outfits they both wore.

"Paige, tis nothing to be ashamed of," Demitra said in the softest of whispers.

Ember returned, this time in a sexy revealing costume of her own.  She regarded it with a frown while adjusting the sleeves and walking on hoven shoes.  "Eh… It's supposed to be a lich, but… I don't know if they got it quite right."  She looked up and abruptly stopped, seeing the women embraced.

"Oh… Oh!  Ember!  I uh… Look at her outfit, she's gorgeous!  I'm… I'm trying to… Could you?  Would you mind…"  Paige wiggled in the Elonian's arms.

Demitra regarded Ember, not relinquishing her hug.  "Dear, our friend is frazzled; Come I believe she needs this."

Ember approached the women with an inviting smile and wrapped her arms around them both.

Paige stopped fighting, drooping into the cuddle.  "I'm so sorry.  I just…" she sniffled then changed the subject to avoid crying.  "You really do look cute, Ember."

"Tis quite lovely, indeed, dear heart!  Both frightening and quite cute," Demitra gave them both a squeeze.

Paige buried her head.  "Cute isn't half of it… for either of you.  It's just hard for me sometimes.  I… I'm not like you," tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Lady Pa… Paige: you are much more attractive than I know you to believe.  We both think so, Ember and I."

"Do you really?" Paige said bashfully.

Ember nodded and gave a wink to Demitra.  "We do.  Like, remember the night I came home from the war?  It… it was really hard not to make a move.  You've turned into this amazing person with an incredible weight on your shoulders, and that's incredibly attractive."

"And, like the night you watched us," Demitra added, as though it were common knowledge.

Paige hesitantly shifted her weight.  "I… Um… I had a feeling you may have saw me… I… I just couldn't stop myself.  I know Nalla is far away, but I don't know what to do with these… feelings.  Geoffry never touched me; I never loved Eilgri.  Yet, what I've been feeling for you both… I don't know what to do."

Ember blinked.  "You… You watched us?"

Paige wrung her hands together, dropping her head.  "I'm… I'm so sorry."

"Shhh.  You have nothing to be sorry about, Paige," Demitra brought a finger to the woman's lips.  "I used my magic to cover the doorway from the inside, to contain your anonymity and modesty, allowing you to enjoy yourself."

Ember slightly giggled - a reaction Paige was certainly not expecting.  What she said next was even more unexpected.  "I mean… next time, just come in."

Paige's lip quivered and her heart pounded.

"In fact… Ember and I have spoken at length on the subject.  It is not unusual for Elonians to have, as you said earlier, harems.  And both Ember and I wish for you to be part of ours."

Paige was astounded, shocked at the proposal.  One didn't need to be empathic to read the woman's inner feelings.  Her mouth was agape and she slightly broke into a sweat as her body flushed with heat.  "C-come again?"

"Only if you want," Ember said with a delicateness she rarely used.

"I mean… I've read about… You want me to…" Paige's mind explored a million different questions; she had difficulties trying to hold onto just one.

"And, you do not have to make such an important decision now, dear Paige.  I know your heart has also been taken by another," Demitra said compassionately.

Paige gasped.  "Oh!  Nalla!  I… What would this mean for her?  I mean, I know she's away for a very important purpose, but… Oh Gods!  I'm so lonely.  Demi, I know you've felt it.  And, I'm so fond of you both…"  She found herself wanting to pace while thinking aloud.  "I don't even know if she'd understand.  I mean, she calls me her poobah, and she said she loves me.  I just.. Oh, I want to kiss you both so badly…"  She suddenly stopped, realizing she let slip a stray thought.

Ember brought Paige's hand up to trace the brim of her top.  "Do whatever you want, okay?" she said with a grin.

"We wish for you to be as comfortable as possible.  So rather than… continuing… perhaps, reflection and consideration with a visitation to your asuran friend.  Regardless of your decision, we both have love for you.  "

"I'll speak with her first then," Paige said in short breaths.  It was the right thing to do, but the intensity of the current situation was difficult to ignore.  She looked at Demitra's emeralds and Ember's rubies.  "You should know that I… I love you both.  I don't love you Demi just because you saved Nalla.  I love you because you are intelligent, encouraging, and fun.  Ember: I don't love you because you protect my people, but because you are brave, bold, and determined."

"Tis the reason I love her too.  And, you, Lady Paige Dejarin, are strong, confident, compassionate, and (although I know you think otherwise), sexy."  Demitra smiled lovingly.

"But you… are the embodiment of sexy; just look at the outfit you…"

Demitra took a moment to look over her outfit, adjusted her top to stop her breasts from freeing themselves.  "This?  This is a reminder of how foreign this place still is to me.  I am bamboozled by merchants here, apparently."

Both women laughed.  Ember put her head on the woman's shoulder.  "I can't complain about the results though, my love," Ember giggled.

Paige downed her head.  "Will you… wait for me to choose?"

"We shall.  Perhaps you shall not have to choose either, but rather, all.  Your asura friend may very well be receptive."

Ember frowned, but said nothing the suggestion.

Paige kept her head down, unsure of where she should look.  "I dare not dream that I could be so fortunate.  Father… Well, father's led me to believe that romantic happiness doesn't last, and… well, I have had nothing yet to disprove that.  Oh how I pray to the Gods he is wrong.  I just want to…"

Demitra reached out, and pulled Paige to her, before she could react, and pressed her thick lips against the petite woman's.   The sensation was overwhelming and Paige melted into her.   Demitra's lips were as soft and tingly as Paige had imagined them.  She didn't want the kiss to end; she could have died satisfied.

After what seemed to Paige like a moment frozen in time, the Elonian pulled back, without saying a word.  Her eyes were sparkling and Paige could see her own amazed expression reflected back.  She looked at Ember to gauge her reaction, when Demitra slipped her hand around Ember's waste and pulled her into Paige.

Ember's eyes were surprised but the moment her lips touched Paige's, she gave into the pleasure.  Since she had gotten back from the war, Paige had been there for her; gave her a place to belong, and the poise and grace the woman had shown had enthralled Ember.  Her head smoked a few wisps.

Paige moaned softly, then pulled back to see Ember's eyes closed and lips still puckered.  She softly giggled.  "Wow."

Ember snapped out of it, and giggled as well.  "Wow… yes, wow."


Paige looked back to Demitra, her expression waring between gratitude and need.

Demitra's stomach tightened as she felt the woman's lustful longing.  "I can… feel how badly you… we all want this.  I…" she took in a deep breath.  "I respect your restraint.  I fear if we are here much longer, such will not be the case."

Ember licked her lips.  "Restraint be damned," she said with a grin.

"Matters of the heart should not be wantonly thrown about.  Ember, we should go.  Perhaps I shall model for you my final outfit?" Demitra flirted.  She turned on her heal, began to sway her hips as she walked, revealing the outfit had straps that converged into a thong squarely placed into her behind.  Both women stared with their mouths agape.

Paige leaned to Ember.  "Ember, how is it you don't… you know… jump on her every chance you get?"

Ember winked at the woman.  "Who said I don't?"

Demitra paused and turned to the women with a smirk.  She was about to call for Ember, when she accidentally hiccuped, momentarily turning back into the stuffed griffon from the potion.

Both Ember and Paige awed in unison.

[To Be Continued...]