Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I heard a female voice say, it's very voice seemed to wake me up from a deep slumber I had found myself in. Or perhaps it was bringing life to me? I felt like I was floating in a pool, and whatever gravity had been holding my soul in place had disappeared and I was in a seemingly controlled descent downwards.

As I descended, I couldn’t see anything, but my hearing was intact. I descended down, not really knowing what awaited me.

As I grew closer and closer, the pool I was curled up in began to stretch, ebb, and grow around me until it broke apart in a brilliant purple and cerulean flash, with shards jetting outwards before seemingly vanishing before we even touched the ground. Searing heat encompassed my entire body, like a hot, white flame was building the very frame my soul would harness. To be honest, it hurt, I wanted to scream but couldn’t. I opened my eyes seeing a bright purple almost magenta-pink glass dome blinded my eyes, I quickly shut my eyes before I could feel my feet hit something solid.

Ground. I opened my eyes again, and I was in a very unfamiliar place, I could feel my entire being, the searing heat had dissipated. Something in my chest was beating rapidly, and I, on instinct felt air rushing into my lungs and exhaled it quickly. Breathing my mind tells me, my heart is racing, anxiety my mind tells me. Something within my throat is vibrating. My voice. I let out a hum and hearing my own voice is strange. I pulled my hands up, glancing at them. Hands. Yes. Two hands, ten fingers, two feet, ten toes. I seemingly feel like I am not in the same body I remember being in.

I looked down at my being, whoever or whatever put me here, thankfully put clothing on my body, but it wasn’t adequate enough. I felt chilly, and strange bumps seemed to form on my exposed skin. Goosebumps. The voice inside my mind tells me. I am a woman, from what I can tell. My clothing was a very basic white tank top, and a white skirt with simple patterns. My feet were bare, however.

I glance up and before me is a woman as well, her frame is curvier than my own, her skin is a deep shade of purple, and her hair is brown and is up in two bulbous pigtailed buns. At least I think that’s what they were called, silver round glasses frame her brown eyes, that’s when I see them, her pointy ears. She is also a bit taller than me. I instinctively raise my hand up to my own ears and I am suddenly saddened that my ears are not pointy as well. She looks absolutely shocked to see me.

“OH. MY. DRAGON!” The woman exclaims and all I can do is stare at her at this point. I don’t know where I am, or what I am, or who I am. I blink a few times. "Did...did…you…just…materialize out of nowhere?"

I don’t know what to do, but my mind takes over, even in the midst of my confusion trying to piece everything together. I understand her, therefore she should be able to understand me. “More like out of a pink spiraling void.” My voice echoes off the walls of the massive chamber I floated down into. It sounds melodic and pleasant.

The woman seems even more shocked by this but quickly recovers placing a hand under her chin. “Oh…oh! Tell me more about the void! None of the other humans remember where they came from. So, this is kind of a big deal!”

I am taken aback by this. That’s right. I am human. Wait, there’s other humans? “Other humans?” My voice betrays me and cracks. This is so entirely new to me. Speech. Language. My mind is experiencing overload as if it’s been frozen in time forever somehow I’m using the knowledge I had before being trapped where I was for an extended period of time.

“Yep, you’re not the first human I’ve seen in Palia.” Palia, is that what this place is? Is Palia the whole planet, or just a small bit…what the word? Territory? State? Country? “Just the first I’ve seen…you know, appear in a giant cocoon of light.” Cocoon, something butterflies appear out of from metamorphosis changing from a caterpillar…is that what happened to me? The woman tapped her lips with her forefinger. There’s a pause and I’m speechless. I don’t know what I should do or what to say. I’m clueless, like a fish out of water.

She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose while shaking her head. “We should slow down. Why don’t you take this map, and head into town where you can talk to Ashura. The innkeeper? He’s been helping others like you get settled in.” I looked at her as she pulled a map out of her pocket and handed it to me.

“I—uh—”

“Look, I would help you myself but I’m working on something here, and I am this—” The woman gestured with her fingers fairly close together. “—close to figuring it out.”

I pulled my lips in and chewed on them. I pulled out the map and opened it, trying to figure out where I was on the map. I was absolutely clueless. What in the world was I looking at? How do I do this again? Can I remember something…anything would be helpful at this point. The woman seemed to see my disposition and let out a laugh. I don’t know who she is, I don’t know who I am. All I know is I’m a human woman that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.

The woman began speaking again. “I was so caught off guard, I just realized I forgot to introduce myself or even explain why I am here. The name’s Jina. I’m an apprentice scholar researching these old ruins.” Her gave then turned elsewhere and I followed her eyes. I took a step back. It was my first time seeing a rotund robot-like mechanical being standing adjacent to Jina. I didn’t even notice the robot there. She waved her arm back toward it. “And this here is my research assistant, Hekla. Please be sure to ask her any questions you have, I have to get back to my grind.” Jina finished, as she went back to dusting off the pillar. I was confused, but I figured it would be best to do as Jina suggested and talk to Hekla.

“Hello human! I know you must have many questions about your spontaneous emergence.” Hekla greeted, and I noticed the purple smock she wore around her neck. It was a cute touch. “Your presence heralds much change in Palia.”

I let out a breath, letting Hekla’s words sink in. Yes, I had a lot of questions. “What am I?”

Hekla’s eyes seem to soften at my inquiry. I didn’t even know if it was made out of metal, or something else. “You are a human being…an ancient thing this world has not seen in many rotations around the sun. Beyond that, you shall have to answer the question of “what you are” for yourself. As do we all.”

Okay. There’s a sun, one sun. This must be Earth? Right, that sounds correct. How many rotations? I still don’t even know who I am. I guess, right now that’s my purpose. Find out who I am.

“Um, Hekla, I still have more questions…”

“Why don’t you go find Ashura first and explore this beautiful land? I must help my Jina with her work. I wish I could answer your questions, and in time I will. I think you will find your answers by exploring.”

“Uh…” I closed my mouth. Having been shut down by the robot. “…okay. Is it this way?” I asked pointing my thumb towards the archway to the left of me.

“Yes, you will see vines as well. You just need to climb up those out to the exit.”

Great. I think I’m more confused. Let’s see if I can navigate my way out of here. I just wish I could focus. My head felt strange. The air in the cave also felt heavy, and it smelled old, of decay. It was a bit stifling if I were to be honest.

Following Hekla’s instructions, I jumped over a downed and decrepit stone pillar to find vines growing on the wall where the rocks had crumbled away, clearly from centuries if not millennia of neglect leading up to an archway. Beyond the archway was a cave but there were fire-lit sconces on each side of the cave leading into more stone walls and floors identical to what was in the temple. There was light at the end of the tunnel light. It wasn’t super bright and had an orange hue. Maybe this wasn’t earth after all. Maybe this was an entirely different world. I didn’t know.

I grabbed onto a vine the texture of which was hard, and rope-like. I carefully made my way up bit by bit. My muscles didn’t easily fatigue as much as I remembered they did. I had managed to climb up the vines and I could see better through the end of the cave beyond the archway. Green trees, and a waterfall. I walked through the cave the smell of the wood and fabric that made up the burning sconces hit my nose and I knew I would pass out if I didn’t make my way quickly out.

So, picking up my pace to a steady jog, I made my way out of the cave, and I was hit with beautiful scenery. Everything was green, a bright vibrant green. It looked like it was the falling of dusk. I was in awe. I approached the stone arch that was my window into this new world that lay spread out before me. There was a waterfall to my right, the spray of which was misting my body. I put my hand out and felt the water engulf my hand. I realized my mouth was dry, so I tucked the map into the back of my skirt and cupped my hands together to get water.

Bringing my cupped hands up to my lips, I thirstily drank. The water was cold and tasted very pure, slightly minerally, no doubt from the rocks and the dirt I had on my hands from climbing those vines earlier. I went back for several more handfuls until I felt my thirst was satiated. The cloudiness that seemed to envelop my mind seemed to ease up a bit. I then set my eyes out on the horizon, and I saw a path that went by a gazebo that was next to another waterfall, and downhill from that there was a house with another man standing outside of what I assumed was his house. Maybe he would have answers for me. I hope so. There seemed to be a village nestled in the valley. I pulled my map back out to take a good look at it this time. The village was called Kilima. No doubt Ashura, the man I was supposed to find, was there.

I followed the path out of the temple structure slowly. I wanted to take in the sights and familiarize myself with this new place I found myself in. This place absolutely beautiful. It was full of butterflies, and various insects. There was a chill in the air, however. I started shivering and there was a fire lit by the gazebo. Thank goodness. I noticed there were lamp posts and fire-lit sconces along the path giving light where needed. So, I stopped and warmed my body up. I glanced up at the waterfall. I saw something tucked up behind it. So making my way behind the gazebo I got a closer look and sure enough there was a chest.

Inside the chest were some gold coins, leather, and fur. Interesting.

I turned around and glanced down where I could see a bit of my reflection in the calmer water that wasn’t being agitated by the waterfall.

Corinth. My name is Corinth Sabor. I was one of the few chosen---

A sharp pain enveloped my head. I clutched my head. “Ahhh…”

The pain grew more and more intense. I felt like my brain was going to explode. I quickly got up and backed away, sitting down on the benches inside of the gazebo. “Okay, okay, okay…” Obviously it hurts to remember who I was. I’ll just give it up for now. I inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled a few times and with each breath the pain lessened. You got this Corinth. Just deep and slow breaths.

Soon, I was feeling better. I got up from the gazebo and saw an older, tall, skinny man dressed in a sage green and blue decorated robe standing outside what I assumed was his house. He reminded me of a monk I grew up learning about in my own time. What was that dude’s name? Mahatma something. I figured I would approach him to see if he could shed some more light on what was going on and how to find this man called Ashura.

“Hello!”

“Well, another Child of the Phoenix joins our little village! I must say, today is a lovely day to be born!” The man then bowed his head. “I am Chayne, the local ritual sage and devotee of Maji, the Great Dragon.” Oh right, Maji, these are the Majiri people. Wait, huh? How did I--

I stayed quiet and let the man continue. “It’s my job as Kilima’s healer and sage to care for our villagers both physically and spiritually.” Chayne then paused, his eyes meeting mine again. “So, how are you feeling? I’m sure this is quite a lot to take in.”

“It’s a bit overwhelming if I am to be honest. I just found out my name when I saw my reflection in the pond under that waterfall, and it hurts to remember anything else.”

“I am sorry to hear that, you just found out your name? Most humans usually know that when they appear. How does it hurt?”

“Yes. I’m Corinth, Corinth Sabor, somehow I remember the pink void, but not my name. Is that unusual? My head feels like it’s going to explode when I try to remember anything from my past.”

“I do not know why the Gods brought you here, but I am sure that there must be some great plan in store. I look forward to seeing it. Please feel free to stop by the alchemy, or the Dragon Shrine when you are in need of spiritual guidance. If your head ails you, I can give you something to relieve the pain as well.” Chayne said, and Corinth knew she could trust this man. “But you will want to see Ashura first before you do anything else. Keep following this path into the village and he’ll be in the big building with the keg in front.”

I nodded. “I will, thank you for your guidance Chayne, I will see you around.”

“May the Gods keep you safe Corinth.”

I left Chayne and followed the path into the village. The architecture wasn’t like anything I’ve ever seen. I mean granted I was a “newborn” fresh from the Phoenix temple. All of this was crazy. Absolutely crazy. Crazy and beautiful.

I was still on the outskirts of the village and as I turned the corner the most gorgeous being came into view. I laid eyes on a porcelain-skinned, blonde-haired woman with a green hat, and a brown apron full of various tools. She somehow reminded me of someone I went to high school with. High School? Since when did I go to high school? I would’ve thought she was human if it wasn’t for the hidden Majiri ears under her cap. She was also the first Majiri I had come across who was shorter than me. Jina was a few inches taller than me, and Hekla was about a full foot or so taller than me. Chayne too was probably a good 6 or 7 inches taller than me.

She saw me approaching her and her eyes lit up with excitement as she raised her arm up and waved at me. I thought it was adorable. “Hi! Welcome to the Valley! I’m Tish. I run the furniture store.”

“Nice to meet you Tish, I’m Corinth.”

“Corinth! What a pretty name!” I felt my cheeks grow warm at that compliment. “Are you new in town or just passing through?”

A song started playing in my head when she asked if I was new in town.

Why, is this the first time that I’m seeing you around, Could you be visiting or are you new in town yeah, whatever the case, I’m feeling you right here and right now….

I shook my head. What am I doing?

“Um. I just materialized from a pink void and was told to talk to Ashura by Jina?”

“Oh my dragon! That sounds tough! Jina is always busy discovering the ancient human ruins.”

“Yeah, it is, I’m not gonna lie. Kind of confused as to why I am here but here I am.”

“Don’t worry, Corinth! I know how you feel. When my brother and I moved here from Bahari City it took us a while to adjust as well. Well it took a bit more time for my older brother, but really, all you need is time and a bit of help to get you back on your feet.” Tish said, her blue eyes staring into mine. “My dragon, your eyes are so pretty too. They remind me of the waters in beachcomber’s cove.” She then clasped her hand over her mouth. “Forget that I just said that. If you need any help with the locals, don’t hesitate to ask me. Okay?” She then leaned in close and whispered. “I’m also known as a bit of a grump whisperer in these parts.”

I felt heat rush up my neck and envelope my face. “Uh—okay. Thank you Tish.”

“You’re welcome Corinth! Come see me again, will you?”

I couldn’t help but feel bashful. “I will, see ya Tish.”

“Bye!”

I continued to make my way up the path and passed what seemed to be a library and a furniture store. That must be Tish’s shop. I then passed by what seemed to be a general goods store before coming across another fair-skinned Majiri man. Just then, however, I heard the pounding of hooves. The expression on the man’s face changed from curiosity to straight-up panic.

“WATCH OUT!” The man screamed before grabbing my arm forcefully and leaping back. He was standing right in front of the fountain in the town’s square. He ended up tripping backward. We both tumbled into the fountain with him bearing the full brunt of the impact. I landed right on top of him. The deer or whatever it was, ran around the fountain and down a different path, taking off into the blossoming night.

“OH MY DRAGON! RETH! CORINTH! Are you alright!?!?” I could hear Tish scream which seemed to bring the villagers out of various buildings.

“Damn sernuks.” I heard the man say as he propped himself on his elbows. I was still on top of him, but I quickly noticed his elbows were bleeding and the both of us were absolutely drenched in the fountain's frigidly cold water. His blood was tainting the water with red crimson swirls.

“You’re bleeding!” I said, as I quickly got off of him and offered my hand to help him out of the fountain. He took it and launched himself up, allowing me to help him. Just then a big surly man, with a large salt and pepper beard, tattoos, various facial scars, and what I could tell--an injured left eye, came running out of what I assumed was an Inn. It had a big keg in front. Wait, big keg…that’s Ashura! I then noticed my wet clothes. My skirt and tank top were sopping wet, I also had no undergarments, and it was freezing. I began shivering.

“Reth! Are you okay?” Ashura asked as he closed the distance to us quickly.

“Yeah, this human here almost got run over by Sernuk. Thanks to me, I saved both of us.”

“What a show kid, is the human alri--yikes.” The cat-like creature, his four ears cocked in different directions as he looked at me. I saw him and he was short and had a patch or lens over his right eye as he approached us. I was shivering, I was so cold. Zeki must have seen my exposed state. “Ashura, she’s gonna need a blanket. Reth, prepare some soup for her. My name’s Zeki. Here, take this. Cover yourself, we can see everything.” Zeki said, as he took off his coat and handed it to me. I quickly put it on, it was small, but it covered my chest. “The kid that saved you, that was Reth. Tish’s older brother. I assume you met her on the way in. Not a typical introduction I’ll admit, but we can’t have humans getting run over by Sernuks in our village.”

I absorbed all of his words while looking around. There was a tall lanky man standing in the doorway of the shop next to Zeki’s with rose-colored round glasses, and black and white streaked hair, he wore deep purple pinstriped pants, and a deep purple vest with a white button-down shirt underneath. He seemed to be watching the spectacle. Our eyes met and I thought I saw a smirk line his lips. It sent a shiver of uneasiness down my spine. Perhaps it was the cold again though. I pulled my eyes away and focused on walking again.

“Yep, follow me Corinth, that’s your name, right?” Ashura asked as he led you to the Inn.

“Y-Yes, my n-name is C-Corinth S-Sab-bor. Y-You’re Ash-sh-shura?”

“Yes. A pleasure to meet you. This is a lot of take in for sure.” He frowned. “Wish it was under different circumstances, it’s been a bit since we had a wild Sernuk come through town. Usually, Hassian takes care of that for us. Have a seat on the couch in front of the fire and I’ll find you a blanket. ”

We entered the Inn and Reth beelined to the kitchen. I took a seat on the couch. The heat from the fire in the hearth felt extremely nice. Ashura disappeared into a back room for a moment before coming back with a brown blanket and handed it to me. “T-thank you Ashura.”

“No worries. I’ll be right back. I’m going to see about getting you some dry clothes. Reth should be almost finished with the soup. Just wait right here.” Ashura said as he left the Inn. I took off Zeki’s coat and wrapped the blanket around myself. “T-thank you Zeki…that was k-kind of you.”

“Not a problem. That’s what I’m here for. If you ever need anything, come find me at my shop, I sell an assortment of things.” He went to put on his jacket but cringed. “Nevermind. The jacket is wet. Good thing I got fur covering me. Catch ya around Corinth! I gotta store to run.”

“Thank you again…”

“See ya!”

“One bowl of Reth’s famous loaded potato soup coming at ya. Careful though it’s hot. Like me.” I blushed. Like him?

“Oh my, t-thank you! You are Reth?” I looked up at him and I could see the resemblance between Tish and Reth. Both were blessed in the looks department for sure. “I’m-m-m---”

“I heard you the first time you said your name, Corinth. That is a pretty name though, very befitting. I am indeed Reth, happy to be at your service. My apologies on how we met, it’s not every day I get to save a beautiful human from a wild charging Sernuk.” Beautiful? Me? He sat down next to me and went to put his elbow on his leg to prop up his head before groaning in pain. “Oh ouch. I forgot I did that. I’ll be back. I need to clean up these elbows here. Enjoy the soup. Let me know what you think, it’s a new recipe I’m trying out.”

“I will. Thank you.” I said, as I picked up the wooden bowl and spoon and brought it up to my face. It smelled divine but it was still pretty hot. I brought the spoon to my lips and gently blew over the soup in an attempt to cool it down. Once I was confident it was cool enough to eat, I ate the spoonful and it was delicious. One spoonful led to another and Reth came back sometime between spoonsful of soup and watched me devour the whole bowl.

I felt renewed and full of vigor again. “That good, huh? I’ll have to make sure to add that to the menu. That way you can come in and I can watch you eat that all the time.”

“That was delicious Reth. I can’t thank you enough, for saving my life and for the soup. I greatly appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome…”

Just then Ashura came around the couch. “Hey Corinth, I got you a fresh change of clothes. Jel asked me to tell you to stop by his shop once we get you settled in here so he can get you fitted with some decent clothes. He runs the tailor shop kitty-corner to the Inn here.” Ashura hands me a fresh change of clothes. They look like thigh-high boots, some formfitting leggings, and a hoodie as well as a bralette, and some cotton underwear. Thank goodness.
“Do you have a place where I can change into this?”

“Uh—” Both Ashura and Reth look at each other. “I have a spare room you can use. I use it for my workouts in the morning. I unfortunately don’t have any spare rooms for you to stay in at the moment. Not with Kenli’s sister the Duchess and her staff in town and all. Follow me.” I followed him upstairs and followed him around the open upper floor into the first room. “Here you are. You can change in here. Once you’re done come down and I’ll get your set up.”

I nodded as I watched Ashura walk away. I had a feeling I was going to see him as a father-figure type, but from his tattoos and scars, I also knew there was something hiding underneath his exterior.

I quickly got dressed. The clothes were nicer and warmer than the ones I had been given when I randomly appeared in the temple. I finished up, before grabbing my old clothes and walking downstairs with them. Ashura was busy talking to a few other humans who must have made their way from the temple as well. I heard someone whistle from across the Inn and sure enough, Reth was looking at me. Our eyes met a moment and he gave me a wink.

“Reth, really? I—” The humans seemed a little confused before looking back to see who Reth was catcalling before they all pointed at me as I walked downstairs causing Ashura to look back and see me. “Oh, Corinth, come on down, and I’ll get you set up with these other three.” He seemed unfazed by Reth. Giving Reth a simple eyeroll.

Ashura set us all up with small backpacks and a makeshift axe each. If we wanted something better we would have to pay for it using gold coins. Each of us would be set up with our own plot of land. They were located northeast of the Inn. I thought that was incredibly generous.

“Hodari will be meeting everyone on your plots, and he’ll also have a pickaxe for you and show how to mine and use a workbench to build yourself some temporary housing. Go take in the great outdoors! If you get stuck or need any help, come back here and I’ll get you sorted!”

And with that, I left with three other fellow human beings as we made our way to our new home.

Chapter Text

The walk to the plots was a bit of a long one. There were a few fox-like creatures on the way up that made me jump a few times along the way. I wasn’t expecting them to run past me like they did. They were cute anyway.

All around the horizon there were ruins, I knew they were there because of the humans. They were grand. I glanced over to see another human chopping down a tree. Suddenly a picture of a poster that showed a man chopping down a tree was plastered in my mind with a caption of ‘Save the trees’ at the top. I stopped in my tracks. Where did that come from?

My heart began beating fast and I saw the other three humans several paces ahead of me. An unpleasant feeling filled my stomach. My legs launched into a sprint as I raced past the three fellow humans ahead. Dread. I was suddenly filled with dread and I didn’t know why. There was a reason why humans were gone. My legs carried me up the path. I heard feet running after me.

“Hey! Hey! Hold up! You’re not going the right way! You’re heading back to the temple!” It was one of the humans. The female one, with flaming locks of red. It caused me to stop. I was out of breath, but not any more tired than I was when I first appeared. The human jogged to catch up to me. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Did you want to talk?”

“I’m scared. I-I remembered something…” I said, trying to catch my breath.

“Something from before we showed up here?” The woman asked, and I nodded.

“Yes. It scared me.”

Our eyes met, and her eyes were a light brown. “It’s okay, I’m Penelope…what did you remember? If you don’t mind talking about it?”

“I saw another human chopping down a tree, and I—I don’t know, I was filled with terror? Like it was something we shouldn’t be doing…”

“Oh. I guess I don’t understand. I haven’t a clue why I’m here…”

“I also remembered song lyrics. When I was talking to Tish earlier. Like someone singing in my head every so often, with a song I vaguely remember.”

“That’s interesting. What’s your name?” Penelope asked.

“Corinth, you said yours was Penelope?”

“Yes. The housing plots are this way…” She pointed to the path on the right. “I think it’s cool we all have the same birthday.” The other two human men that were walking with Penelope came up to us.

“Hey, we sent Penelope after you since you bolted. You looked terrified. Is everything okay?” The jet black haired man asked, as he looked at me.

“This is all overwhelming, we get it. So many of us are just appearing out of nowhere. The locals seem a little put off by it too…” The blonde one said.

I figured, since I’m remembering some things, maybe they might be too. “Have any you had random memories…or weird thoughts since showing up?”

“Um, not really. Have you? Is that why you ran away?”

“Yes.” I said, and I was about to launch into the same explanation I gave Penelope, but Penelope stopped me.

“Sam, Alex, this is Corinth, she was born the same day as us, isn’t that exciting?”

“Oh you’re the girl that almost got ran over by that deer looking thing. I saw that…I’m Sam, that’s Alex, as Penelope said, we all came in about the same time, probably not too far behind you. Jina is a piece of work huh?” The jet black haired human said, he was Sam, and Alex was the blonde.

Alex chimed in “But she’s got an ass for days…and those hips…” Alex then looked over me. “You got a figure on you too Corinth, pretty eyes and a face that would—"

I rolled my eyes, “Look, I’m going to cut you off there. I appreciate the help, and compliments but I’d like to go to my plot and see what I’m working with.”

“Oh yeah, it’s up the path to the right here. Maybe we can hang out later?” Penelope asked, and I nodded.

“Yeah. Nice meeting you Penelope, Sam and Alex. Catch you later.”

“Bye!”

“Bye sexy!”

I rolled my eyes at Alex’s comment. I forgot how one-track minded men could be. I puffed my cheeks out and blew out a breath. Okay, plot. I followed the path up to a banner with a horseshoe in the center and through that came across a gate.

My body seemed to slow down, and I was walking into an invisible barrier. My body then seemed to be launched into the air and I floated a great distance before being set down gently in front of a small plot of land. What was THAT!?!? How in the world did I just do that? I walked onto the plot, and I was in awe …you know what? This is perfect. Who cares how I got here…this is amazing. I then looked ahead of me to see a group of those fox-like creatures looking back at me before they scurried away, breaking the home sign in their flurry to get away from my stare.

There was a man there, who was working on mining through a large rock node. Just as he broke through the node I caught a good look at him. He was a middle-aged light-skinned majiri man, with biceps that seemed to burst out of his shirt and a five o’clock shadow that was akin to George Michael …George Michael? Who is that even? His hair was waving all over his face. My heart fluttered in my chest as we made eye contact. His face brightened in a smile as he seemed to recognize me and waved at me. He began making his way over to me so I figured I would walk further into the clearing my house plot sat in, so he didn’t have to walk so far to me.

“Hm…s’coming along… still lotta trash though…oh, hi.” I’m assuming this is Hodari, I looked at him brightly with a smile on my face. I could tell however he was looking at me with a glint in his eye. He was eyeing me up. “Hodari Pavel, of Pavel Mining.” He said, matter-of-factly, before his eyes dipped low and slowly made their way up my body. “What can I do ya for?”

Oh, I see where this is going. I’m picking up what he’s putting down. I blushed, “Can you tell me how you got those biceps?” I asked coyly, playfully flexing my left arm. “I’m trying to get some of my own. I’m Corinth by the way.”

“Well Corinth,” Hodari said, as he smirked. “Interesting name by the way. I’m a miner, and spend my day pounding rocks for a living…” He trailed off and contemplated if he wanted to say what he was going to say next. “Get good at it, you’ll have biceps like me in no time.” He eyed me up again. “I assume Ashura sent ya over to me, he’s been sending a lotta new folk my way lately. S’the whole reason why I’m checking out the soundness of these campsites. Don’t need you all buried in mud.” There was that hint of innuendo again. “In fact, this one’s almost ready for use if you want it. Just needs a bit more work.”

I nodded, “I’m down to get it done. This place is mine?”

“Yep. I see Ashura got you an axe, take this pick too. Always good to have the right tools for the right job.” Hodari said, winking at me as he handed me a pickaxe to use. “Use ‘em to clear the debris, also, mining’s hungry work so you should take this too…” Hodari said, as he handed me a pan full of grilled mushrooms. They looked delightful honestly. I couldn’t wait to dig into them. “My daughter says I gotta eat healthier, honestly can’t stand ‘em so you’ll get more use out of them than me.”

I laughed, delighted to know he had a daughter, and I wondered if there was a Mrs. Pavel at home. She was a lucky woman. Maybe I reminded him of her. “Ha! Good thing I love mushrooms then, your daughter sounds cute by the way Hodari. I hope I’ll get to meet her soon.”

“Mmhm. She don’t make it out here often though. I’ll stick around if you don’t mind and help guide ya about swinging those axes. I gotta make sure you know what you’re doing ‘fore I move on.”

Oh right. He’s got other people to tend to as well. “Okay.” I said, as I took out my wood axe and began tearing down the sign the fox-like creatures broke when I first arrived on my plot. “Those creatures that were here, what are those called?” I said as I began swinging my axe with all the force I could muster.

“Oh, those lil’ critters? Chapaas. They’re a menace if I’m bein’ honest. If Hassian had it his way, they’d be extinct by now, prolific things if I say so myself.”

iHassian, that’s the second time I’ve heard his name. I broke the sign down into small pieces of wood and set them over to the side before I started on the next bit of wood that caught my attention. “Who is Hassian? I’ve heard you and Ashura mention him now, is he someone important?”

“You’ll meet him in due time, he runs the hunting guild around here. He tends to be…difficult. If he gives you issues, you come to me, I’ll deal with him.”

Once again I broke the wood down into usable pieces before taking out the pickaxe. Hodari seemed to perk up when I brought it out. I swung the axe over my head and brought it down on a pile of rocks that looked like it could’ve been a cornerstone to a house. Sparks flew up as soon as the metal hit the stone and I shuttered, jarred by its brightness.

“Is he difficult?” I asked, kind of scared of his answer.

“That’s the flint making those sparks girl, and…yeah. He can be. Kid means well, jus’ doesn’t have tact.”

“I see.” I said, as with a few more swings of the pickaxe the stone broke down but within the stone, I found a weird gold tube. I bent down to pick it up and brought it up to examine more closely. It seemed human-made, like ancient human technology but definitely made after my time on earth. It looked like it was once filled with a strange pink substance and had been drained.

“Good job.” Hodari complimented, as he pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Thank you.” I said, walking over to him with the strange apparatus in my hand.

“Still lots to do but it’s a start…”

“I found this weird thing…do you know what it is?” I asked, showing him the apparatus, I had found. I handed it to him, and he took it and examined it a bit closer like I had moments earlier.

“Huh…found a lotta strange things in the mines, but not sure what that is…” He then handed it back to me. I took it and placed it in my backpack again. “You found it though, so you keep it. S’your plot after all…” He then glanced up in the sky and wiped some sweat off his brow. “I got other plots to inspect, but there should be room now to place this worktable. I would suggest you get a roof over that head and a place to put your things before you go worrying about glowin’ tubes.” Hodari finished as he placed a worktable kit down for me.

“Okay, will do, thank you Hodari!” I said, waving at the man as he made is way toward the west.

“Not a problem, bye!”

I watched him walk away before I started putting the work table together. I used the blueprint Ashura stashed in my bag to build a decent-sized tent. I mined some more stone and chopped down some more trees and bushes around the plot. I built a couple of storage bins and placed them.

I felt a bit hazy, so I ate the mushrooms Hodari gave me a bit earlier. I kept working through the night trying to get the plot of land cleaned up. I was interrupted by bells chiming somewhere in the village and the sound of running feet. I didn’t realize the sun was coming up over the horizon. I was just working on making this little bit of land livable.

It was strange cause I didn’t feel tired, I should be tired right? I did indeed stay up all night. I turned my head towards the west thinking it was Hodari coming back, but instead, my eyes fell upon a little majiri boy, he was light skinned had blonde hair, and was sporting a backpack nearly twice the size of himself. He was probably the age of 10 maybe a bit younger, I wasn’t sure.

“Hi! Whew! Good! You haven’t left yet! My mom, Dalaila told me there was a group of new humans in town and here you are! I ran all the way from the farm here! She wanted you to have this housewarming gift. Welcome to Kilima!” The little boy rummaged through his bag and pulled out a pitcher of milk. “And I wanted you to have your mail! I’m Auni and I handle all the deliveries around here. Twice a day, every day, rain or shine. At 6 in the morning and 6 at night. So I think it’s safe to say, my job is about to get a lot more interesting. So, do you like getting mail? You look like someone who likes getting mail.”

“Nice to meet you, Auni, I’m Corinth and yes, I love getting mail!” I said, matching Auni’s enthusiasm. He had a lot of spunk, and I missed that kid energy.

“Good! I bet you’ll be happy with what I have for you!” Auni said, as he opened up his pack again and walked over to my mailbox before putting a stack of letters inside of it and pulling up the flag, signifying I had mail. “I would’ve handed them to you, but Eshe told me to just put them in the box. I guess she got reports of people losing their mail that way. At least in the box, they aren’t going anywhere.”

“Aw, I see.”

“So, go and check it out! It’s your first mail delivery ever!” Auni said, as his eyes beamed at me excitedly, and I let out a chuckle of amusement. This kid definitely loved doing this and seemed to have a blast.

I opened my mailbox and came across two letters, one seemed to be from Einar congratulating me for appearing out of the pink mist and it was a cause of celebration cause now I could find my ‘joy of fishing’ with him. I would have to visit him at the docks when I had the chance. He seemed to be the same type of robot as Hekla.

Inside the letter was a picture of a fishing pole, and Auni urged me to pick up the picture. I did, and it seemed to be the same type of magic I was teleported herewith. A fishing rod magically materialized in my hand. “Whoa! What is this? That was amazing!”

“Isn’t it? This is how we transport things both large and small through your shipping box and the mail…”

“Wow, if only Amazon had their hands on this type of stuff…” Suddenly the logo for Amazon shipping popped into my mind. Suddenly I was hit with a flashback of me retrieving these cardboard packages from outside the front door of my apartment in New York. My head started to hurt again, I bent over and dropped the letters, bringing my hands to my head.

“What’s Amazon? Corinth, are you okay?”

“Oh, um. My head…”

“Hey, sit down on the ground…should I get Chayne? He can whip up some tea to fix your headache. He gave me some when I lost my baby tooth, see?” Auni said as he pulled his lip back to show me his missing molar.

I smiled at Auni’s youthful eagerness. “I’m sorry Auni…don’t worry about me okay? You’ve got enough to do; I seem to get these when I’m remembering things from my past.”

“You can remember things? All the humans I’ve talked to can’t remember who they were before and where they were from. That’s so cool you can remember that stuff, I hope the headaches get better!”

“Me too.” With my headache subsiding, I set Einar’s letter aside and opened the next one. This one was from Hassian. The first few words got to me. To whom it may concern? Okay, buddy, let’s see what you got.

The letter basically said that he was required by city hall to give us a bow, arrows, and the blueprint to make the arrows. As Auni explained before I simply picked the pictures off the letter and they all materialized in my hand, except for the blueprint that was absorbed into my mind. Auni couldn’t really explain how the blueprints worked, it was magic yet it wasn’t because magic for the majiri was a no-no.

Hassian’s letter did seem a bit imprudent. Perhaps he really was a busy guy. I appreciated the bow and arrows as well as the knowledge to make more arrows when I needed them in the future.

“So how are you settling in? You seemed to have cleaned up this place nicely. Your plot is huge! Have you found anything in the dirt yet? My dad found a copper arrowhead in our yard last week. All I ever seem to find are rocks.”

“I’m taking things one step at a time, but I did manage to find this strange glowing tube when I was mining the nodes on my plot…” I said, pulling out the tube from my backpack. Auni's eyes widened with intrigue and surprise.

“Oh WOW! It definitely counts! Can I hold it? Have you figured out what it does?” He asked, as he stretched his hand out and I handed it to him. “This thing is a bit heavy huh…” He said as he turned it in his hands and examined it closely.

“It is, but no, I haven’t figured out what it does,” I said, and Auni his curiosity quenched, he handed the tube back to me.

“You should bring it to Jina, she’s always hanging out in the human ruins around here. I bet she would know what something like that was used for…oh yeah! I forgot in all the excitement that I brought you a present too!” Auni then pulled a belt with a pouch on it, as well as a sack full of what I could describe as delicate balls of clay wrapped in purple flower petals. I looked at Auni in confusion. “It’s a Bug Scouts official belt and a set of smoke bombs too! I’m a part of Kilima’s best and only bug-catching club!”

I grabbed a smoke bomb and examined it closely. “I see? So you like catching bugs huh?”

“Oh yeah! I need to run for now though! If you stop by later I can give you some tips on how to use them. I bet you’re hungry right? You should talk to my dad Badruu to learn how to grow your own food, and Reth, he works at the Inn, he’ll teach you how to cook it! You know, everyone is waiting to meet you, come on, I’ll race you out!” Auni said as he started taking off toward the gate to my plot. I let out a laugh. If everyone was as infectious as Auni, Ashura, Tish, and Reth, I would get along just fine here.

I laughed. I drew in a deep breath and glanced at my lot. I had managed to build storage, and a temporary roof over my head so why not go see if I could do something about the food situation, since I was getting hungry? I turned on my heel and raced after Auni out of the gate.

I was teleported once again, and I knew it would take some time to get used to the sensation. I quickly made my way into Kilima and asked Tish where I could find the farm. She gave me directions and wished me luck.

Following her directions, I made my way to the farm. Upon talking to Badruu who absolutely loved farming puns, he agreed to show me how to start growing my own food. I quickly headed back to my plot and met Badruu there, where he gave me a watering can and a hoe as well as some carrot and onion seeds. I quickly got the garden set up, I did manage to find another glowing tube, some clay, and silver ore while tilling my garden.

Upon planting the seeds, I thanked Badruu for helping me out. He told me to stop by and see him once I got everything harvested, he’d have something else in store for me to grow. I bid him goodbye. I decided it was time to see Reth and see what I could do about some food.

Chapter Text

I walked into the Inn, the smell of soup, and beer hitting my olfactory receptors as I entered and I glanced to the left, there was Reth. It was like he was expecting me. “Corinth! You just missed Badruu! He said he helped you set up a garden.”

“Hey, Reth! As a matter of fact, yes, he did. I was wondering if I could get more of that loaded potato soup?” I asked as I sat down on a bar stool at the counter in front of him.

“One bowl of loaded potato soup coming up,” Reth said, as he disappeared into the kitchen. I then gathered some gold out of my backpack. I wasn’t sure how much it was going to cost but figured a hundred gold should cover it. Reth came back with a hot bowl of soup and set it down in front of me

“Wonderful. Here.” I said as I put 100 coins on the counter. Reth cringed at me before pushing the coins towards me again. “Reth, take it! You saved me and gave me free soup.”

“No. I refuse to accept this.” Reth said, as he opened a drawer and pulled out a wooden spoon, and placed it on the counter. Our eyes met for a moment before he pulled his eyes away and focused on wiping the counter down.

I was puzzled. “Why?”

He looked at me again, his blue eyes meeting mine as he stopped what he was doing and leaned closer, placing his hands on the counter. “Can I be honest?”

“Only if I’m allowed the same courtesy,” I said, holding his gaze. Reth gave a snort of amusement.

“You can get all the free soup you want. You’re gorgeous and I want to see more of you. So, if it’s soup you want…you know to come see me.” He said, winking at me. This boy was smooth. I felt my face grow hot.

“Ooh, you’re smooooooth.” I said, bringing a hand up to my face. I then picked up the spoon Reth placed on the counter next to my bowl and started to stir the soup to cool it down a bit. “But seriously. I want to pay you back.”

“You can pay me back later. Two bowls of soup aren’t going to break the bank Corinth. Your happiness, again I’m being honest here, is payment enough.” Reth said as he smiled at me.

Smooth like the air, I take you into me. You’re all I crave remain within me deep…

“Okay…that’s weird.”

“What’s weird?”

“I just had a song play in my head again. I’ve been experiencing weird flashbacks and random songs playing in the back of my mind since I arrived here.”

“Oh. That is weird. I don’t think any of the humans I’ve talked to actually remember things about their past before arriving here. How did the song you heard go?”

“Pardon?”

“The song you heard in your head just now, how’d it go? Can you sing it?”

“Um.” I flushed even harder. “I—I don’t think I can actually sing it…”

“It’s just you and me here at the moment. Give it a go, I’ll listen.”

“Um…okay, I’ll try…” I opened my mouth. “Smooth like the air, I take you into me. You’re all I crave remain within me deep…”

Suddenly I wasn’t in the Inn anymore, I was in a dance studio. The walls were white, and quaint windows lined the wall to my left. I look at myself in front of a mirror, but was that really me? Before I get a chance to even take my reflection in a voice interrupted me.

“All right ladies let’s take it from the top…5, 6, 7, 8!”

The music started. “La da da da da da la da da, da da da da,” This repeated again, as my body began moving on its own, and I danced, I wasn’t alone either, there were other people around me, doing the same dance I was doing. The song was a slower song, and very sensual. I was moving and touching my body in a very sexual manner as the music played.

“Honey love, Honey love what you do to me, I can’t think I can’t act the way I used to be…got no choice just your voice sends me through the roof I’m a mess, I confess it’s because of you…”

“That was beautiful, is there more? Corinth…Corinth…are you there?”

“Corinth! Corinth!” I was back at the Inn. Reth was waving a hand in front of my face then I felt a finger mess with my lower lip. He was pulling down on it and then letting it go repeatedly.

“I—Reth!” I said, as I pulled my head away from his offending finger. “Quit!”

Reth laughed. “Are you okay? You zoned out hard after singing that one line?”

“Yes. I just had another flashback. I was a dancer I think. Or a performer. I don’t know. I saw myself in a dance studio doing choreography.”

“Dance studio? What’s choreography? There’s a lot to unpack with that statement. You have a beautiful voice by the way. You could make a lot of money being a singer here you know.”

I was suddenly completely tired and the headache from hell started rearing its ugly head again, this time the pain was intense. “Aw fuck me. My head…”

“Whoa, I’d love to fuck you, but that’s forward even for me. At least buy me a drink first.” Reth joked, and I shot him a glare.

“Ha-ha, smart ass, what makes you think I’d be into you like that,” I said, sarcastically. Damn. He’s forthcoming as all hell, isn’t he?

“Hey, I wasn’t the one that said fuck me that was all you.” Reth laughed, before nudging the soup bowl forward slightly. “Eat your soup. Your focus is probably totally drained.”

I nodded and did as I was told and Reth would come back and check on me between checking the kitchen. I was about halfway done with my bowl of soup when Reth took it and filled it to the brim again. I was thankful. The more soup I ate the less painful my headache became.

I was three bowls in when Reth came by once again, grabbing my bowl. “More?”

“Yes please…” By now the Inn was starting to fill with humans and majiri alike.

“How’s the headache?” Reth asked, his eyes full of concern.

“A lot better, thanks for the asking. Sorry for dropping the f-bomb earlier, every time I remember anything my head feels like it’s going to explode in a million pieces.”

“Hm…the soup is helping though?”

“Of course it is, Reth. I love your soup. It’s like the most comforting thing to eat.”

Reth let out a low guttural groan as for the first time the majiri man’s skin was a deeper shade of pink than I had seen. “I—I’ll be right back,” Reth said, as he grabbed my bowl again. This time it took him some time to get the bowl back to me. I dug right in again. “You don’t need anything else do you?” Reth asked, placing his hand on the counter.

I don’t know what possessed me, but I put my hand on Reth’s and his skin was warm, warmer than my own. I gave him a smile. “No after this I think I’ll be good. Thank you. I genuinely mean it. Thank you.”

Reth turned his hand upside down, grabbed my hand, and gave it a squeeze. My heart started racing in my chest. His hand, burning in my own. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to come find me. I’m here every day.” Reth said, making sure to make eye contact as he said that. I flushed as I let go of his hand.

“Go take care of your other customers. I’m good.”

With a knowing nod, he left to tend to the other humans who were coming in for the dinner rush. I was in the middle of my fourth bowl of soup when I heard footsteps. I turned my head to see a young majiri man come in, wearing a leather vest, and simple black pants, his arms are exposed and they’re muscular, he’s got a bow and a quiver full of arrows on his back, with a canine companion. He makes eye contact with me, huffs, and goes to stand next to who I assumed was his mother. She had come in somewhere bowls two and three of soup. She addressed him.

“Hassian, my boy, tell me how your day has been?”

So that’s Hassian. I focused on eating the rest of my bowl while trying to focus in on their conversation with all the kerfuffle happening in the Inn.

“It was okay. I made more bows, arrows, and blueprints. Seems that’s all my days consist of anymore. Just making these things for the humans.”

“Well Hassian, we have to be as welcoming as we can be.”

“I can’t stand how quickly they take to destroying the environment. It’ll do well for the chapaa population but they’re going to destroy the planet again Mother, mark my words.” I quickly finished my soup and my eyes studied Hassian and his mother.

Reth approached the two with two pints of ale. Hassian thanked Reth, and there was something said that I couldn’t catch, since more humans came shuffling in chattering. I flittered toward the humans before my gaze went back to Hassian. Reth and Hassian were both making eye contact with me. Reth flicked his head toward Hassian, and you took that as a sign to approach the three of them.

So I got out of my seat and walked over to where Reth, Hassian, and his mother were standing.

“Howdy! Welcome to Kilima, I’m Sifuu! The best blacksmith in these parts, but you might also know me as the most famous monster slayer in all 12 provinces…”

My jaw dropped, I didn’t know if I should play along or be truthful. I did notice the mace hanging off her hip. “Sifuu? Oh yes! I’ve heard of you…yeah monster slayer, that’s right! Such an honor to meet you finally!”

This seemed to impress Sifuu who went into a long explanation as to why she stopped slaying monsters. I would glance at Hassian every so often and he would let out heavy sighs every so often, even eye rolls. I felt for Hassian, I did like Sifuu, but understood she could be a bit much at times. She was working on her second pint of ale by the time she had finished her storytime. Reth had gone back to serving people ale, and soup. He was working his ass off but always had a smile on his face.

“Reth, grab us a round of shots! I wanna get to know Corinth better.”

“Actually, that won’t be needed, I came to talk to Hassian, it was wonderful to meet you…”

“Nonsense! Reth, shots, put it on my tab.”

“Bahari Apple Rum, or Kilima Malt Whiskey…” Reth asked, making eye contact with Sifuu.

“Ooh, the Kilima whiskey will put hair on your chest, so I’ll go easy on you. Apple Rum Reth.”

Hassian let out a groan. “Mother, you’re embarrassing me. I don’t want Corinth to think I do this every day.”

“Oh Hassian, I’m having fun! Corinth is of age. It’s time for her taste of Kilima alcohol. Stay and have some drinks with us. Anything is better than holing yourself up in that Grove of yours.”

“I’m supposed to meet Auni and play cards tonight.”

“Oh perfect! Perhaps Corinth would like to play with us.”

“No mother, you never play. Besides, the last time you sat in, you tried to get Auni to drink alcohol.”

This was getting awkward quick. Yikes.

I decided to let my voice be known. “Look, I don’t want to impose on your plans. I’ll take the shot then I think I’ll go home.”

Hassian looked at me, and something in his stare softened before his eyes wandered over me. He smirked quickly. “It was Corinth, right?” He waited for a response, and I nodded. “Would you like to stay and learn how to play cards?”

I smiled. “Sure.”

“Good,”

Reth then appeared with a plate with four shot glasses on it with an amber liquid inside each glass. I looked down at the four shot glasses and raised an eyebrow.

“Grab your shot. Don’t ask questions, hurry.” Reth said, as he pushed the plate towards me. I did what I was told and grabbed a shot off the plate. Hassian was next, and Sifuu after Hassian, and finally Reth grabbed the last shot and held it up for a toast. “Welcome to Kilima, Corinth!”

Sifuu raised her glass, and Hassian rolled his eyes and groaned but did the same. “Welcome, I guess.”

We all touched glasses before everyone partook in their shots.

I was brought back to a time of sitting by a fireplace and sipping on a mug of hot apple cider. The rum was really good, and the burn of the alcohol hit me at the very last second. “Ooh, that’s delicious and…” I swallowed the shot. “dangerous.”

“It’s good, isn’t it?” Reth asked, a smirk appearing on his face. I nodded before my eyes turned to Hassian and Sifuu.

“Wooo! That is delicious. Nothing like it I tell ya and yes, I’ve been known to drink a whole bottle of that stuff.”

“Ugh.” Hassian groaned rolling his eyes so hard I thought they were going to roll into his brain.

Reth grabbed the plate off a nearby table. “Glasses?”

“Oh yeah, here.” I said placing my shot glass upon the plate held out for us. Sifuu followed suit, and Hassian followed as well.

As the late afternoon led to evening, Auni finally showed up. Sifuu, managed to get me another shot.

“Corinth! Are you playing with us tonight?”

“Yep, if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course that’s okay! Did Hassian ask you?”

I smiled and let out a laugh. Auni was just too freaking cute. “Yes, actually!”

I looked at Hassian with a weird glance. “Really? You…asked her? You realize she just came here yesterday, right?”

Hassian let out snort. “I know. I just met her a couple of hours ago. Some people kind of forced my hand.” Hassian said as he shot glares at Reth and Sifuu. Auni gave Hassian a look that said he didn’t believe him.

We sat down at a table on the back porch. Sifuu kept supplying the alcohol. Reth actually stayed over his normal time to make sure we were okay.

After four shots, I was feeling pretty buzzed. Reth had left at 7 p.m. So Ashura took over for him, and when he saw my state, he cut me off. Sifuu whined but Ashura came up with a quick-witted comment to shut her down.

Hassian, Auni, and I played until about 10 p.m. at night when Auni had to call it quits after I won for the second round in a row. Sifuu had left us about an hour ago to talk to Zeki. Hassian grabbed the cards and placed them into a pouch he carried next to his quiver.

I was buzzing, and it was the first time I noticed Hassian’s green eyes. “Wow, your eyes are pretty,” I commented.

“Uh, thanks?” Hassian said, as he met my gaze, and raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, probably stating the obvious but yeah, sorry,” I said, suddenly feeling foolish for even saying the man was pretty.

“Your eyes are striking as well. They’re a color I have never seen for a human, and I’ve seen a lot of you running around here.” Wait what? He chewed his lips. “Forget I said that. I don’t ask humans to play cards with Auni and myself. I try to be a good role model for Auni. I like that kid. Reth suggested it, and I respect Reth.”

“Auni is a good kid. He’s got a lot on his plate though it seems. I’ve only been here for a little over 24 hours, but yeah. The kid has one hell of a work ethic. Reth too, Reth is a good man.”

“Well, Reth has a lot on his plate, like Auni. I hope you do your part and contribute to this village. If you don’t, and I find you being a pest, I know how to deal with pests.” Hassian said spewing his last two sentences with vitriol. I could sense his hostility, I probably would’ve cried if I had been sober, but I had alcohol in me and saw the face value of his words.

“Whoa…Hassian, I mean no harm. There is no need to be so hostile. In my time, we were trying to stop climate change and all that. Still have no idea what led to our downfall, but I’m sure in time, all will be revealed.”

Hassian jerked his head back as he listened to me, he narrowed his eyes at me. “In your time? Didn’t you just get here yesterday?”

“Yes, but I remember things about the life I had before I arrived here out of a pink swirling void.”

“I’m intrigued, and I want to know more. It is late though…”

“Well I don’t need any sleep apparently, I’ve been awake since I arrived yesterday.”

Hassian, looked flabbergasted then concerned. “Huh. I would suggest you try to sleep anyway, do you have someplace that is warm?”

“Well, for one, I don’t have a bed, and two I literally don’t feel tired and three, I’m living in a tent at the moment,” I said, and Hassian looked like he was about to explode.

“That won’t do.” Suddenly he grabbed my right upper arm and began marching over to his mother. His hand on my arm was forceful, almost bruising, and hot, I could feel it through the fabric of my sweater. It sent flashes of heat up my arm and up to my face.

“Hassian…it’s not a big deal…”

He marched right over to Ashura. “Ashura, I would like to pay for a room tonight for Corinth…”

“Well if I had a room available I’d say yes, but I don’t.”

“There’s nothing? Nothing at all available?”

“No, Hass, not with the Duchess’ staff here, there isn’t.”

“Fine, thanks anyway,” Hassian grumbled. He paused a moment and scanned the Inn.

“Hassian seriously. You don’t need to go through all the trouble, I’m fine.” I said, but Hassian seemed intent on ignoring me. His eyes flashed in recognition toward the direction his mother was in before leading me in her direction.

“Mother, I would like it if Corinth used my room at least until she has a bed to lay in.”

“Uh—are you sure son? She’s got a tent, a fire…a lot of land…”

“She doesn’t have a bed to lay her head in.”

“Well, do humans even need sleep though? I don’t think they do…”

“Mother!”

“What Hassian? Why are you making a fuss over her, let go of her. Let her make that decision herself. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you gotta crush on her.” This seemed to make Hassian more irate than he already was but let go of my arm at least.

“No, I don’t have a crush on her. If thinking she needs an actual bed to sleep in is having a crush in your eyes, I guess I’m guilty?”

Sifuu just laughed at her son. “Yeah, you’re crushing. Look, I can send over a chapaa bedroll in the morning if that would help. But jumping to the fact she needs to sleep in your room tonight, that’s putting me out and I don’t know Corinth that well yet.”

“Understood. You’ll send her a bedroll tomorrow?” Hassian asked, his eyes seeming to plead with his mother.

“First thing in the morning Hassian, I promise.” Sifuu said, with a smirk on her face as she looked at me. She sized me up before laughing. “She’s a tiny thing huh.”

“I’m going to escort Corinth back home then I’m heading back to my grove for the night.” Hassian said, gruffly.

“Be safe.” Sifuu said, in a sing-song voice.

Hassian rolled his eyes before he turned back to me. “Don’t mind my mother, she means well but she can be really overbearing at times.”

“Aren’t all mothers like that though?”

Hassian looked at me like I had grown three heads. “You remember your mother?”

I blinked a few times. Did I remember my mom?

I was then teleported to a time in my mid-twenties when I was talking to a terminally ill woman lying in a hospital bed in what looked like a hospice center. I knew this woman, was my mother.

“Corinth, I’m proud of you. I don’t have much time left, I just wanted you to know, that.”

“Momma, please, don’t say such things…”

“Corinth, I’m addressing the elephant in the room. The cancer, it’s ravaged me. The doctors have stopped the treatment. My time has come.”

“Momma,”

“I’ve filled out a will. I’m giving you the house. Jacob is getting his grandmother’s house. Please take care of it after I’m gone.”

“How long did the doctors say you had left?”

“My organs are already failing. I would assume not too much longer…I don’t want to suffer much more however. I’ve made the decision to…to…exit on my own terms.”

“You requested assistance?”

“I never wanted you kids to see me like this. You’re both adults. You have your own lives. I’m proud of both of you and what you’re doing with your lives. Both of you have good heads on your shoulders.”

“When mother? I want to be here for you, to help you to the other side.”

“Friday…the injection is set for noon.”

“I’ll be here at ten so I can feed you one last meal.”

I felt arms around me holding me. My face was wet and hot with tears and the cool air licked at them. Suddenly I was back out in the town square with Hassian hugging me in an embrace. I quickly pushed him away. “What are you doing?”

“You were crying. You don’t need to tell me. You looked lost. I’m sorry if hugging you wasn’t appropriate, it probably wasn’t…”

I put my arms around Hassian muscular midsection and buried my face into his leather vest just to let all the emotions out. Hassian paused for a moment before bringing a hand up to stroke my head and hair. He let out a heavy breath.

“I had another flashback. My mother, she died.” I said, not looking up at the man. Hassian seemed more deliberate with his strokes,

“I’m sorry. I understand your plight. I lost my mother.”

“Sifuu is your mother though.” I said, sniffling. God I hated crying. Hassian took a step back and released me.

“My other mother. Taylin. We used to look at the stars together. I lost her as a young boy. She’s the reason why my mother gave up monster slaying and moved here to Kilima. Perhaps some other time I will discuss this with you.” Hassian said, and I looked up at him. He too looked like he was fighting tears. “Let’s get you back home,” Hassian said.

We walked next to each other up the path toward the home plots. “I want to thank you Hassian. You saw me in a vulnerable state. Thank you for being there for me.”

“Don’t expect this from me. I still don’t understand you humans but I’m willing to try.” Hassian said glancing at me. The stars were bright, and the two moons were high in the sky.

“It’s beautiful tonight.”

“It is.” We walked up to the gate. “This is where I leave you Corinth. Stay safe. I hope to see you around again.”

“Will do, thanks again, for everything.”

“Yeah. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” I said as I walked through the gate, feeling Hassian’s eyes following me in.

Chapter Text

I didn’t understand why I couldn’t sleep. I remember sleeping. I remember being so exhausted I would crash in my bed. I, in the meantime, cleared some more trees and mined more stone nodes around my plot. As I lifted my arms to swing the pickaxe, the acrid smell of body odor hit my nose. Hoo-wee. I was going to need a bath for sure. Too bad I didn’t have a bathroom. I did manage to dig a hole on the very edge of the plot, to do my business in, but I knew I’d have to get around to making some money, mining some rocks and trees.

I finished mining the stone node before I put the pickaxe on my backpack and decided it would be a good time to head into town. It was getting too dark to do much of anything else around my plot anyway. I had heard whispers of there being an underground shop stationed in an old human sewage pipe somewhere in Kilima.

There were other humans out and about, and I recognized one with flaming locks of red heading back to Kilima. “Penelope?” I shouted as I waved my hand up in the air so she’d see me.
“Corinth! Hey! How’s your night going?”

“It’s going well. I heard something about an underground shop here in Kilima. Do you know where it’s at?”

“Yeah, I’m headed there right now, follow me, I’ll take you there.”

I smiled as I followed Penelope through Kilima to Zeki’s shop where we walked behind Zeki’s counter and rounded a corner where we were met with a bright cyan-colored barrier. I stopped short of it. “What is this?”

“It’s a door. You step through it.”

“I see.” I said, I was hesitant. I extended my right arm and touched the barrier with the tips of my fingers. The barrier rippled and didn’t seem to harm me in any way. I went to go through it but couldn’t.

“Oh Zeki didn’t give you his key did he, no worries, there’s another way in.”

“Are you sure?” I asked looking at Penelope. She nodded.

“Come on, let’s run!”

I smiled at Penelope as she led me out towards Fishermen’s lagoon from Zeki’s shop. I followed Penelope down along the coast of what I knew to be Remembrance Beach before coming across a sewer entrance. She led me inside to see the underground shop. The place was huge and looked well-decorated. I saw Reth behind the counter.

He instantly recognized us. “Corinth, Penelope, hey ladies! Come to try to famous lettuce soup?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but Penelope beat me to the chase. “Lettuce soup, ew. No thanks.”

Reth frowned, and I slapped Penelope lightly on the arm. “Hey! Be nice. I actually wanna try his lettuce soup.”

This made Reth smile. “Well, I’ve got some if you want it.”

I smiled at the handsome majiri man. “Sure Reth,”

Penelope rolled her eyes, “Look, I’m gonna go pester Zeki, you know the way out right?”

I turned to Penelope, “Yes, thank you for bringing me here. I appreciate it.”

“No problem, catch ya later,” Penelope said giving a small wave as she left to find Zeki.

I then turned to Reth, “Hey, sorry about her.” He set a bowl of lettuce soup in front of me on the counter.

“Hey, no worries, Reth’s lettuce soup isn’t for everyone.”

I snorted a chuckled, “Yeah I guess not.” I said as I grabbed the spoon that he placed next to the bowl. “Hey, I came here to ask if there’s any way I could get a bath or a shower and toiletries?”

“Uh, hm. You don’t have a house on your lot yet?” Reth asked his eyes meeting mine. I took a spoonful of the soup into my mouth, and it was surprisingly delicious. It was a very clean-tasting soup with bits of lettuce floating around in the bowl.

“Mm. That is good and no, I don’t. Any advice on how to build one?”

“Well, you’ll have to see Kenli about getting a blueprint to build your house. He should be in the town hall at 9 a.m. but sometimes he is late. So, I wouldn’t go there until about 11 a.m. I think Zeki sells shower baskets.”

“Shower baskets?”

“Yeah, one kind for men, and one kind for women. They have things like soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors…all the things you need for hygiene. I can ask for one and see what the price is on it. Do you still have that gold on you?”

“I do. I have 543 gold on me. I’ve been selling things I’ve come across on my plot.”

“I see, I’ll be back,” Reth said, as he walked around the counter to go talk to Zeki who was at the front of the massive underground shop. I drank down the bowl of soup in the meantime. It was soothing. Reth came back moments later. “You got 250 gold?”

“Yeah,” I said, as I fumbled around in my backpack to gather the necessary gold. “…here, and 50 gold for you for the soup.”

Reth rolled his eyes and shook his head. “No.”

“Reth, just take my money. I want to support you. Jesus.”

“I don’t know who Jesus is, but no. Keep your gold.”

“Reth!” The handsome majiri man left the counter quickly with the 250 gold pieces and quickly came back. Meanwhile, I shoved the 50 gold he left on the counter and shoved it back into my backpack. He was carrying a woven basket full of various products and set it down next to the empty bowl on the counter.

“If you’re going out into the wild to shower, the best place to do it would be in Bahari Bay. The waters near the ocean are the warmest. You do it anywhere here in Kilima and you’ll either suffer hypothermia, or you’ll get slapped with an indecency fine. Eshe walks all over Kilima at night.” Reth said, his eyes meeting Corinth’s, “Also, there are feminine hygiene products in there. If you run out, come to Zeki’s shop and ask for your monthly box. Zeki will give it to you for free. The 250 gold is for all the soaps, but they should last you a while. If you really have to shower here in Kilima though, I recommend the pond on your plot. You’ll have privacy there at least.” Reth said, as he walked back around the counter again. “You need anything else? Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Of course, you’ll see me tomorrow. I have a feeling I’ll be busy working my ass off getting everything done.”

“You can take a look at the furniture Zeki sells, he usually sells things like rugs, fridges, framed pictures, and tubs. They’re pricy, but you won’t find things like that in Tish’s shop. Please do stop by my sister’s shop. She makes beautiful furniture too.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Reth, thank you for everything.”

“My pleasure,” Reth said, as he winked at me. I let out a snort of amusement as I grabbed the basket of toiletries and walked away and back out of the sewers.

I raced back to my plot to bathe in the pond. The shampoo, conditioner, and body soap were made from Sundrop lilies and crystal lilies. The combination smelled heavenly. There was a sponge, a few towels and washcloths, a razor, deodorant made from sweet leaf and clay, a toothbrush, and toothpaste made from mint and sweet leaf. At the very bottom of the basket were some tweezers, and a box of what looked like pads and tampons made from cotton. The tampons were the self-insert kind. It was enough for at least one month.

I was impressed by all of it, and quickly stripped down and washed myself off. The water was indeed frigid. I didn’t dare bring myself to try to swim. For some reason, I had an irrational fear of water once it reached my chest. I just used a bucket I found in my plot of land and used that to wash myself down. I shaved my underarms, it seemed like a habit, as well as my legs and my womanhood. Again, it seemed like something I did in my time before I showed up here.
Once I was bathed, I knew I probably shouldn’t put my dirty clothes back on, but I had no other clothing, the clothing I was sent here in wasn’t enough to keep me warm and it was still a little damp despite it hanging out on a nearby tree for the majority of the day. I put my outfit back on and I still wasn’t tired. What was up with this? I knew I wasn’t a machine, why do I feel like one?

I decided enough was enough and started the arduous process of getting myself acquainted with this new world, and this new beginning I seemed to have. I figured I could go fishing and I wanted to check out Fishermen’s Lagoon again since that spot seemed tranquil and beautiful. With how high the moons were, I had to guess it was after midnight.

I quickly took off out of my gate, being teleported once again. Instead of running with reckless abandon, I figured I would take a leisure stroll along the same path Penelope had taken me through. Taking in the sights under the glow of the double moons. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I walked past a flower that was glowing and singing to me. I kneeled down and looked at it. I listened to its tune, and it was beautiful. Like chimes, ebbing in and then outwards. I put my hand underneath the petal base, and I could feel it buzzing with energy. It was the single most beautiful thing I had seen. I knew I had probably passed several times, but in the flurry of activity since arriving here I never realized they glowed and made noise.

With a hard pluck, the flower was in my hand. Sun Drop Lily. I was taken aback. Is that what this was? The glow slowly faded a bit, and the beautiful flower stopped its song as soon as I had plucked it. I frowned but decided to tuck it behind my ear regardless and continued making my way toward Fishermen’s Lagoon. The sound of the wind licking the water became louder and louder as I neared the Lagoon. I came across some Wild Garlic and I plucked that up as well. It was probably one of the largest cloves of garlic I had seen. The bulb was the size of my entire hand. This too seemed to glow in the darkness and had a peculiar sound, similar to the sound of water boiling on the stove. It was fascinating.

I had finally made it to the dock in the lagoon, and it was beautiful and peaceful. I felt a wave of relaxation wash over me. I took in the tranquil sights for a few moments before I decided to test out the newly acquired fishing pole. I cast out, somehow muscle memory kicked in and I was able to cast the line pretty far on the first try. Did I go fishing in my previous life? That seemed far too easy. My line then began to tug and the big bite came, I jerked back on the reel to hook the fish and began reeling in, feeling the fish struggling against the hook to get free.

When I got the hook out of the water, there was a small blue and orange-scaled fish on the other end of it. Gillyfin. There was that random voice again. Where was it coming from?

The fish wiggled mightily, but its fate was sealed. I quickly took the hook out of its mouth and tossed it quickly into my backpack. When I turned back around, I saw the same majiri man standing in his shop from my near-fatal run-in with the sernuk the day before walking around the pond. He noticed me and gave a slight wave. I gave a small wave, before casting out my line again. The man seemed to turn on his heel and began to make his way over to me.

My line began jerking not moments after the hook was submerged. When I knew for sure the fish was on my hook, I jerked back on the rod to set the hook in before reeling it in.

“Good Evening! You must be new here…” I heard the majiri man say, addressing me.

I quickly got the fish out of the water. “Uh, yes, give me a moment will you?” I said, as I grasped the gillyfin at the end of my line and quickly unhooked it before once again throwing it in my backpack. I went to shake the man’s hand, but he shrunk back and gave me a look of repulsion. “Oh, uh, sorry, fish hands. Yes, I am new here. I think I saw you before—”

“Ah, yes, the incident with that wild sernuk, yes. I am Jel Omiata, of the Omiata family, I’m sure you are aware of our fashion line. Correct?”

I pulled my eyebrows together in a look of confusion. I realized that Jel’s eyes were a dark blue. “You do realize I just arrived literally yesterday, right?”

“Oh my—yes, how could I have forgotten. My apologies.” Jel said, a look of shock appearing on his face at first before he bowed his head in an apologetic fashion. “What is your name dear? If I may have the honor of knowing.” Ooh, he has a way with words. I like it.

“Corinth Sabor.”

“Corinth what a beautiful name. It sounds…historical, like the name of a place I’ve heard existed eons ago. What are you doing out this late?”

I decided it would be a good time to cast out again and continue our conversation. “Fishing and taking in the sights.” I said, at first, but when I glanced over at Jel, the look on his face told me I wasn’t telling the whole truth. “—Also I couldn’t sleep. I haven’t slept the whole time I’ve been here. I’m not tired or anything. I don’t actually understand it.” I said as I realized my legs were starting to feel a bit fatigued from all the standing, so I decided to sit down with my feet hanging over the edge of the dock. Then I realized that it was the first time I felt any sort of fatigue since arriving here.

“Hm…that would be a predicament wouldn’t it? There are nights when I come out here as well, the water and the night sky quiet my thoughts.” Jel said, and I looked up at him, patting the empty space beside me for him to sit. He looked at my hand and seemed to contemplate for a moment. In the meantime, I got another bite. I set the hook and began reeling in again.

“It is beautiful here. It’s very awe-inspiring.” I said, pulling the fish out of the water and unhooking it once again before tossing it into my backpack. Jel finally sat down next to me, his feet too, hanging over the edge of the dock.

“It is. It truly is. I sometimes weep because of how beautiful the stars are. Have you ever done the same?”

“Um. I’m sure have, see I don’t remember much of my previous life, everything is starting to come back to me but it’s fragmented.”

“You can actually remember parts of your previous life? Like old memories?”

“Yes. I’m aware it may be abnormal…” I said as I cast out my line again.

“Just a bit, all of the humans I’ve come across seemingly suffer from amnesia and they don’t remember anything at all,” Jel said, as I could see him glance at me from the corner of my eye. I just kept paying attention to my pole.

I could feel Jel’s body heat radiate off of him on my right side I didn’t know what it was, did the Majiri have a higher body temperature than humans do? “Like I said, I’m abnormal.”

“You’re not abnormal Corinth. Gifted perhaps, certainly not abnormal.” There was a bite on my line and once I set the hook, I reeled in the fish. “Your clothes, however, I see Ashura gave you the outfit I gave him. You’ve already gotten them absolutely filthy.” I felt hands messing with the fabric on my sweater. They smoothed over the fabric on my arm and once again, I could feel the warmth of his hands through the fabric. The sensation sent butterflies down to the pit of my stomach.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I was doing a lot of manual labor clearing out my lot. One tends to get dirty mining and chopping trees you know?” I said, as I pulled the gillyfin out of the water and quickly unhooked the small fish, and threw it into my backpack. Jel seemed to watch me closely as I did this. This time I looked back at him, to examine him more closely. He was very attractive, with a small square jawline, blue eyes hidden behind rose-colored round frames, and a white streak of hair on the left side of his head. This body was decked out in dark purple pinstripe pants and a dark purple vest with a white pinstriped shirt underneath. Earrings adorned his ears and a blue silk tie adorned his neck. I dug his aesthetic.

If he caught me looking at him, he didn’t let me know. “Gray is a good color on you, but I feel purple would make your skin pop. Ooh! I’m getting inspired by just looking at you. You must come by my shop so I can fit you into a new outfit.”

“Um. Will that cost anything? I’m kind of broke at the moment, I just had to pay to get some toiletries so I could bathe and stuff.” I asked, my eyes meeting Jel’s. Jel laughed and shook his head.

“I’m assuming you paid Zeki for a basket. Oh dear, he sells some good things in those baskets, but they are certainly expensive. A true grimalkin that one.” Jel said, as his laughter calmed down before he shook his head. “No, your first outfit is free from me once I get you fitted, but anything else after that I consider personal commissions and I will charge fairly for those. If you need it, I have some spare washboards Tish keeps giving me, I can give you one along with some spare laundry detergent and stain remover. I’ll post them in the mail once I get back to my shop.” Jel said before pointing. “You have a bite dear…”

“Ah!” I said, quickly pulled my attention off Jel as I went to jerk back on the rod, but I lost the damn fish. “Damn it.”

“It’s okay, I’m sorry if I distracted you.”

“You’re good Jel…” I said trailing off, trying to rack my brain for things to talk about. “What do you know about the two moons in the sky?” I asked looking over at him while I reeled my line in from the water to recast.

“Oh, Ignus and Luna. Ignus is the big one, meant to represent Maji, and Luna, the smaller one, is meant to represent Embra, the God who made your people. I don’t know too much more about them other than what Chayne has told me.”

“Maji is the dragon, right? Embra the Phoenix?” I asked as I cast out my line again, being careful not to snag on Jel’s clothing while doing so.

“Yes. I do not know all the particulars about the Gods, as I said, those questions are more up Chayne’s alley, but beyond the moons, there are other planets. Celestial bodies that only ancient humans had seen—"

Suddenly I was in a class room. I was a girl, probably no older than 1st grade.

“This class is what we call our solar system. As you can see it consists of 9 planets. Let’s go through them shall we?”

“Yes, Mrs. Tomlinson.”

“Good, ready? Here we go. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto! Now, let’s discuss moons. How many moons does Earth have? One! That’s right. How many moons does Mars have? Two! Jupiter has so many moons. Saturn too, one day we’ll find out the number for sure. Uranus has 27 moons, Neptune has 14 moons, and Pluto has two moons.”

“Corinth, dear, are you with me? Corinth!”

I blinked a few times, and I was back on the dock with Jel. “Oh my God, it happened again…I had another flashback. What do you call the planets?”

“Um, we don’t really have names for them yet…”

I pulled in yet another fish, I promptly unhooked it and threw it in my bag. I then looked at Jel. “Want an astronomy lesson?”

I spent the next hour or so explaining the order of the planets, their sizes, and how many moons each planet had. Jel seemed extremely interested and gave me his undivided attention. I ended up catching another 6 gillyfins during that time as well.

The conversation died down eventually and the horizon started turning a burnt sienna color with the impending arrival of the sun. Dew fell upon the earth and I felt a hand touch my head, weaving its way through my hair.

“You have drops of dew in your hair dear. It’s actually very mesmerizing seeing the dew like this. It’s almost like Drops of Jupiter kissing your head.” Jel said as he continued stroking my head.

I was driving a car. The trees were green, I glanced down at the speedometer, 57 miles per hour. The temperature was below the speedometer. 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Belting out a song that was playing out on the radio through the speakers of the car.

Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's a time to change, hey
Since the return of her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey
Hey, hey, yeah
But tell me, did you sail across the sun?
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that Heaven is overrated?
And tell me, did you fall for a shooting star?
One without a permanent scar, and did you miss me
While you were looking for yourself out there?

As suddenly as the flashback came over me, I was suddenly in Jel’s embrace. My head was against his chest. “Corinth, you have such a beautiful voice. Oh, my Dragon, is it ever pretty.”

“I—I had another flashback…”

“Yes. Your gaze became glazed over and I knew you were remembering something, then you started singing this beautiful song with such passion.” Jel said as he loosened his grip on my upper body, releasing me from his tight embrace. “Tell me, what did you see?”

“I was in a car, a vehicle driving down a road. It was summer. 85 degrees Fahrenheit and I was belting out this song. I felt free?”

“A car? What in Palia is that?”

“A vehicle we used to get from one point to another.”

“Did you use flow to power them?”

“No. I don’t believe so. I don’t think we had such a thing in the time frame I came from.” Suddenly my head started hurting again, like it was being ripped apart. Jel immediately brought me back into his embrace. He was warmer than myself and butterflies swarmed my stomach.

“Oh dear, does your head hurt?”

“Yes, this happens every time I remember anything about my past.”

“My poor dear. That sounds tough.” Jel said as he brought a hand up to stroke my head. “Being human and all, that is.”

“Yeah, I don’t know if I’m actually meant to remember my life, at least what it was before I showed up here,” I said, allowing Jel to comfort me.

“I hope, that in due time, of course, you will remember. Perhaps the Gods will imbue to you the purpose of your kind coming back.” Jel said as he released his hold on me. He then stretched and let out a yawn. “Oh my Dragon, the sun is beginning to rise like Embra out of the Earth, I must head back. I usually see Chayne on my way back to my shop. Would you like me to send him to you?”

“You’re actually not the first person to recommend Chayne’s healing services to me, but no. I think I’ll be fine. I will probably catch a few more fish, and see about cooking them up before I see Kenli about building a house.”

“Ooh, sounds exciting! I wish you all the best Corinth. Please come see me at my shop when you have the chance.” Jel said as he got up onto his feet, towering over me. I nodded in understanding.

“I will. Take care and get some rest.”

Jel nodded. “You as well, nice meeting and talking to you Corinth.”

“Likewise,” I said, letting a smile line my lips as I watched Jel walk away.

I stuck around the docks and caught five more fish before I decided I had a good amount of fish. By then the sun was just appearing above the horizon. I quickly ran back to my plot and dumped a few of the gillyfins into my storage chests. I still had no way to cook the fish. Perhaps Reth could help me out with that?

I watered my crops with the watering can, and Auni delivered my mail. If I hadn’t glanced towards my mailbox, I wouldn’t have even noticed him entering my lot.

“Good Morning Auni! How’s it going?”

“Good Morning Corinth! I have a letter for you from Einar, Sifuu, Hassian, and Jel this morning. Also, I know you probably have a lot to do already, getting settled in and all, but you should stop by the farm. My mom said she wanted to meet you, and wanted you to meet Nai’o. If you have time, that’d be great.”

“Okay Auni, I will see what I can do.”

“Awesome! See you around Corinth!” Auni said as he took off out of my lot. I shook my head and let out a laugh of amusement as I walked over to my mailbox.

Sure enough, there was a letting from Einar saying he had a new fishing pole blueprint as well as a rod health-boosting hook available if I was interested. Sifuu and Hassian both sent letters requesting help with Tau, Hassian’s plumehound. Jel’s letter had the washboard and some detergent.

I also had to see Kenli about getting a house built, see Jina about the glowy tubes I found in the dirt, see Reth about cooking up my own food, and now see Auni’s mother. I was plumbly overwhelmed. I mean, granted, nobody was breaking my door down. I didn’t even have a door to break down. So, I should probably get on that first.

One thing at a time Corinth.
I ran into town and headed to the building which I assumed was townhall. It was the tallest building in town after all. At the front desk was a majiri woman and I was suddenly struck with jealousy. She was so beautiful. I found myself actually shy for once.

I approached the counter, and she was helping all the other humans who had come in, probably inquiring about the same thing I was, getting a more permanent roof over their heads. The moment her eyes met mine, my heart leaped into my throat.

“Um—hi!”

“Oh, hey. You’re one of the newbies?”

I nodded. “Yes, I showed up a few days ago. My name’s Corinth.”

“That’s cool. I like your name. My name’s Kenyatta, I’m just taking a break from work.” Her eyes took in my body. I felt heat rush to my neck and face. “Hm…my parents made me get this job at City Hall to teach me about “responsibility”. All it’s taught me so far is how to die of boredom. I assume you’re here to talk to my dad, right? Kenli?”

“Uh—yes. I am and I know how that is…parents can be so overbearing.” I said, nodding.

“Ugh, you’ll have to tell me more about that some other time, stop by again later and keep me entertained, ok? This town needs some more excitement.” Kenyatta said, as she winked at me and flushed again.

“Okay, I will…where do I go?”

“Up the stairs to the left. Nice meeting you Corinth.” Kenyatta said, as I saw a smirk line her lips and I could feel her eyes burning on my body as I walked up the stairs.

“Ditto.” I said, glancing back at her and returning her smirk before turning my attention to not tripping up the stairs. She likes me right? I wasn’t imagining things.

I entered Kenli’s office and talked to him about getting a house built on my lot. He set me up with a harvest house blueprint but when he went to find the deed to my lot, he couldn’t find it. He gave me permission to start building. It would take eight hours to build once I managed to get all the wood and stone needed. I thanked the man, knowing I should feel blessed that I would have a place to lay my head, store my things, and call my own. I had a feeling that from the time I came from housing was hard to come by and it was extremely rare for it to be given freely.

The next on the to-do list was to see Jina, so upon asking some fellow humans directions where I could find her, I headed toward Mirror Pond. I found her hanging out with Hekla and quickly grabbed the glowing tubes from my bag and handed them over to her. She promised to send a letter once she figured out what they were and what they were used for. Awesome!

I then ran over to the farm I passed along the way to Mirror Pond and found out it was the Daiya farm. I met Dalaila and Nai’o. Dalaila had extended an invitation to join them for dinner. Nai’o was devastatingly handsome and towered over me. He had strong broad shoulders, blond hair, blue eyes, and a strong jawline. Did I mention he had muscles for days? He threw around whole bales of hay like they were balloons of air. I couldn’t even lift one. I offered my help with any chores that needed to be done. I fed the ormuus and as a reward, Nai’o gave me a carrot to feed his riffroc Sugarfoot.

Dalaila took Auni into town to get groceries for dinner later. Nai’o and I were finishing up picking up piles of ormuu dung. We had put them into a compost pile that they’d use later on after harvest to fertilize the soil for the next growing season. While I had been there, I did notice Nai’o’s wandering eyes, but he was polite, almost to a fault.

With the last piles of dung in the compost pile. I took the pitchfork from Nai’o and leaned them both against the wall of the barn. Nai’o came back with two tall glasses of ice water for us. He handed one to me and I quickly downed it with fervor. I was thirsty.

“So, just letting you know, I think my mom’s trying to set me up with you.”

I spat out my water at that statement.

“Uh—ack—huh?”

“Well, why do you think my mom took Auni into town? Auni came back a couple of nights ago talking about “this gorgeous human woman with eyes the color of the sea in Bahari Bay”. I mean, he’s right, you are gorgeous, but…I’m already seeing someone.”

“Um—wow I…I don’t know what to say. I thought your mom wanted to genuinely meet me. I figured that since I had already met your dad. I mean, I’m flattered, but this is sudden, even for me. Why would you say that?” I asked as I downed the rest of the water in my glass. I was flabbergasted, utterly flabbergasted.

“Well, my mom doesn’t like the idea of me dating Kenyatta, she thinks I’m a fool for trying to court her.”

“Kenyatta? You’re with her? Well, I can’t come between that. I wish you luck with all that. I just arrived here, it’s funny too cause I just met Kenyatta today. I’m a bit overwhelmed by everything.”

“I’m sorry, you know, I’m gonna open my mouth and insert my boot. I’m sorry. I figured I’d come out and be honest with everything right out the gate.”

“I appreciate your honesty. Let’s just revisit this conversation at a later time.” I said, handing my empty glass back to Nai’o. “Do you have the time?”

“It’s a quarter to noon.”

I let out a breath, I was feeling a bit out of focus, and fuzzy-headed. “I’ll come back tonight for dinner, so I’ll see you tonight, all right?”

“Yeah, see you tonight.”

“Bye Nai’o”

“Goodbye, Corinth. Nice meeting you today.”

“Same here,” I said, as I left the farm and began making my way back into town.

Chapter Text

It was a bit past noon when rounded the corner to head to the Inn, I saw Hodari also walking up to the Inn. I had a bag full of sapwood, gillyfins, and sun drop lilies I had plucked along the way. He waved at me with a three-finger wave before doing a ‘come hither’ finger towards me.

“Corinth, just the girl I wanted t’see. How’s everything going with your plot?”

“It’s going well. I’ve got everything cleared out, and I finally got a blueprint to build a house on it finally.”

Hodari’s eyes, scanned over my body as he let out a whistle. “Atta girl! Look, I’ve got an upgrade for your pickaxe, you gotta come see me in Bahari Bay though if you want it, I can also give you some advice as well if you want—”

“Oh, why not now?”

“Everything’s back at the house. I live in Bahari Bay…”

“Oh that’s right, you told me this…”

“Yeah, I’m here for lunch though…”

“Oh me too. Reth makes the best loaded potato soup…”

“Hey, between me and you though, don’t get too close to him…”

“He seems nice enough—”

“Nice enough don’t cut it. Look, I’m looking out for you. Jus’ don’t get pulled in, okay? You seem like a nice enough girl, jus’ take my advice and keep your distance, m’kay?”

“Uh…okay. Thanks.” I said as Hodari left me standing there to stew in my thoughts. Don’t get pulled in? Keep my distance? Reth was so nice though.
I followed Hodari into the Inn and Reth immediately saw me and gave me a friendly wave. I gave Reth an acknowledging nod and walked up to the stool I sat at the day before.

“The usual?” Reth asked, his blue eyes meeting mine.

I nodded, sliding my derriere onto the wooden stool in front of him. “Of course.” I said crossing my arms and setting my elbows on the bar.

Reth quickly served me the loaded potato soup before he gave Hodari some sernuk noodle soup which Hodari paid for before he came back to the counter. He made eye contact with me and a smile. “Something on your mind?”

“Yeah, can you show me what I can do with these?” I asked, as I opened my backpack and took out the gillyfins I had caught the night before.

“Wow Corinth! These are some beautiful gillys. Yeah, I know Ashura loves some fish stew. He says it helps him catch more fish, but honestly, I think the man just knows how to scare the fish away.” Reth said as he let out a laugh. I laughed as well.

“I didn’t know Ashura fished.”

“Oh, yeah, same with you, I didn’t know you’d take to fishing so quickly.” He took five of the gilly fins off the counter. “The rest are for you. I sent out a letter detailing how to build a cooking spit on your lot. You should get it tonight—”

“Aw thank you! I appreciate that. You are truly too kind to me.”

Reth seemed nervous as his eyes scanned the Inn, pausing when he seemed to make eye contact with Hodari. “In time, you’ll find out not everyone or everything is as it seems. But that day is not today.” Reth said as he grabbed a cloth to wipe down where the prior human patrons made a mess on the bar further down from me. “So, what are your plans today?”

“Hopefully, to build a house on my plot. I just came back from the Daiya farm and boy let me tell you, that visit was awkward.”

“Oh? Why was that?”

“Nai’o is convinced his mother is trying to set us up. I just met him and her today.”

“Dalaila must have caught wind of his relationship with Kenyatta.”

“Is it really that bad? Like…I don’t know what the fuss is…Kenyatta too, seemed a bit too interested in me as well.”

“Oh? You seem to be piquing everyone’s interest. I mean, I’m not surprised. You are beautiful.”

“I’m not even interested in a relationship at the moment, I’m still trying to figure all this out, and where I fit in.”

“You’ll fit in, believe me on that. Not everyone may take a liking to you at first, but give it time, soon, you’ll be one of us in no time.” Reth said finishing wiping down the bar, he then leaned in close to me. “You already have me wrapped around your finger.”

I blushed. “Oh hush. I do not. I think it’s the other way around honestly. I’ve come by every day just for your soup.”

“Are you sure it’s just the soup? Or is it because you want to see me too?”

“Um…can it be both?” I asked as I began stirring the soup, cupping my face in my hand, and looking up at him.

Reth let out a growl, similar to the one he let out the day before. “Why you little temptress you. You really shouldn’t say things like that. Some people—” His eyes flittered towards Hodari at the table behind me. “—might get the wrong impression.”

I let out a laugh but then raised an eyebrow. “Reth, I was serious when I said that though. You’re nice and you make the best loaded potato soup. I also love chatting with you.”

“Thank you.” Reth said, then I felt warmth on my right side, and I realized someone was standing next to me. It was Hodari. The man gave me a passing glance before Reth turned to him. Hodari addressed him first though.

“Can I get a refill on my soup canteen Reth, and I’ll pay for Corinth’s bowl too, if you don’t mind?” Hodari said, glancing down at me and he winked at me. He had his hand extended with a large metal flask in his hand.

I flushed and gave Hodari a smile. “Oh, thank you Hodari, but—”

“Yeah sure. Don’t worry about Corinth, her soup is on the house today.” Reth said, cutting me off. Instead, I just decided to focus on eating my soup which had cooled down to a tolerable temperature.

“Oh, okay. Then just the refill I guess.”

“Sure thing, noodle soup or something else?”

“Yeah noodle soup is jus’ fine.”

“Okay.” Reth said as he disappeared into the kitchen.

“I see he likes you too, but as he said, nothing is ever as it seems. Reth, he’s—”

I had to stop the man there. Not with Reth still within hearing distance. I kept my voice low and hushed not to raise suspicion with Reth. “Hodari, is this your place? I understand you mean well, but Reth doesn’t really seem that bad.”

“Jus’ come see me in Bahari when you have time. Be it today or tomorrow or whenever. I got a pickaxe upgrade for ya.”

“I’ll stop by tomorrow. I still got to get my home built and stop by the Daiya farm for dinner.”

With a knowing nod, Hodari held my gaze before Reth interrupted him by handing him his now full soup flask. His eyes left mine to glance at Reth and give him a three-finger wave before dropping a small bag of gold on the bar. “Thank you, Reth. See ya around Corinth.” With that, Hodari makes his way out of the Inn. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I then turned my attention back to my soup, not realizing Reth was looking at me.

“What’s going on? You looked uncomfortable, did Hodari say anything to you?”

I decided honesty was the best policy. So in between bites of soup, I stated my case. “Hodari pretty much reiterated what you said earlier about how not everything is what it seems.” I was about finished with my bowl of soup at this point and Reth took notice.

“Oh. Did you want any more soup?”

“Probably not today. I want to get to my plot and get my house started and get these fish cooked up before I need to get to the Farm.”

“Oh, that’s right, Dalaila invited you for dinner…”

“Yeah, I’m worried.”

“Ah, don’t be. Dalaila is a sweet woman, you can’t fault her for trying to find someone for Nai’o.”

I let out a groan. “Again, I’m not looking for a relationship. This is only my third day here. Why is Dalaila against Nai’o and Kenyatta?”

“Not my story to tell but since you’re curious, it’s not a good look when your son is dating the daughter of the brother to the Duchess. Farmer and Royalty dynamics…you know what I’m saying…it can get messy. Royal politics and all that.”

“Oh, I get it. Yeah.” I said as I took the last bite of soup I had in my bowl and Reth took my bowl from me, placing it in the sink in the kitchen. “I should probably get out of here and get started on my house.”

“Hey before you go. Jel came here looking for you earlier. You might want to stop by his shop.”

“Oh, shoot that’s right. So, I guess Jel’s first, then home.”

“Well, actually, not so fast. I kind of…need a favor from you too.” Reth said as he put on his best puppy dog look.

I raised my eyebrow at the handsome majiri. “Oh, really? Stop with the puppy eyes.”

“Hey it’s nothing nefarious, I swear. I just need a cookbook from the library. I need more inspiration for recipes.”

“Oh, the one next to Tish’s shop? Okay.” I said nodding in understanding.

“Yeah, Jel asked me to make something for a party his family is holding for his mother in Bahari City.”

“Why can’t you check it out?”

“Because Caleri kind of, banned me, from the library.”

“How did you get banned from a library?”

“Caleri won't let me in the library anymore after the bouillabaisse incident.” I shot him a look of disbelief. “Hey! Caleri is a stickler on how the books in her library are treated. It was a complete accident, I swear.”

“Okay, fine. You’re gonna have to tell me about this bouillabaisse accident tomorrow. Should I do this before or after I go to Jel’s shop?”

“Definitely before. Jel has been known to take some time with his fittings.”

“Okay,” I said as I let out a breath. “One cookbook coming right up,” I said, as I waved to Reth and made my way out of the Inn. I headed straight to the library.

I had seen Caleri in passing in the three days I had been there, and she seemed stern. I also knew if you were passionate about something you saw it how no one else did. I entered the library and walked up to Caleri.

“Hello! My name is Corinth. I’m new.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve seen you around, Kenyatta and Jina have mentioned your name. I am Caleri and I am the librarian and a scholar at the institute. This is my library, and you will treat these books with respect. If you think you might bribe your way into the restricted section behind me? Well, that sort of thing won't work on me! If you are so thirsty for knowledge, I have just the book. Give it a read before you bother me again.” Caleri said as she pointed out a book on her counter. Dang, okay. That’s how it is. I respect it though.

I opened the book to find that it was a book on basic manners. It was a short paragraph basically saying that a society without a please or thank you would be it's downfall.

“Hey Caleri I have read the book.”

“Did you? And did you learn something?”

“That Majiri society places high value on manners...”

“Yes, we do. There are many complicated rules for etiquette. If you're ever invited to a formal event, you would do well to remember them.” Caleri said, and I could only nod in understanding. “But I do feel that you have come here looking for something?”

“Yes, actually, would you happen to have a book with cooking recipes?” Her amused expression suddenly went crestfallen at my question.

“Reth put you up to this, didn't he? Hmphf. That boy will do anything to wiggle out of his punishment. I still haven't gotten the stains out of the ceiling!” Caleri said and she pointed towards a spot on the ceiling in her library. “Reth caused that by trying to learn how to cook bouillabaisse.”

“He says he’s sorry and that it was an accident.”

“Right, and I’m secretly the Queen of Akwinduu.” Caleri rolled her eyes then shifted her weight and put a hand on her hip. “Fine, since you have proven your worth, I guess I will allow you to take one cookbook. But, mark my words, if a single page is returned to me tomato-stained, that will be a lifetime ban... for the both of you. Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” I said, giving a smile. “Thank you.”

“I like those manners. You can find them on the tables in the back.” Caleri said as she pointed toward the two tables at the back of the library. I nodded and walked back to them. There were two cookbooks that I could see. One called "Upper Crusts: A Guide to Making Food for the Majiri Elite” and another called "Sweets for the Sweet: A Guide to Crafting Drool-Worthy Desserts." I figured since Reth had mentioned he was making food for Jel’s mother’s party, I would opt for the Upper Crusts book.

Upon checking the book out with Caleri, I raced out of the library and back to the Inn where Reth was busy serving up soup for some fellow humans. He immediately noticed me and gave me a wave. I immediately approached him and set the book down on an empty spot on the bar counter.

“I know you said you were making food for Jel’s mother’s party, so I grabbed you a fancy cookbook.”

“Upper Crusts: A guide to making food for the Majiri Elite. How fancy! Do you mind if I call you fancy pants? You know what? I’m calling you that from now on, fancy pants.”

“Fancy pants? Okay—”

“Oh! And I almost forgot. Here's a soup flask of my world-famous vegetable soup to show my eternal gratitude. I believe Jel should be waiting for you so why don’t you go over there and see what he has in store for you? Catch ya later fancy pants!”

I was not exactly fond of Reth’s new nickname for me but whatever. I guess I was his fancy pants from now on. A fuzzy feeling enveloped my belly as I waved bye to Reth and made my way over to Jel’s clothing shop. His fancy pants. A shiver ran down my spine.

I entered the clothing shop to find empty mannequins lining both sides of the wall, and some dressing rooms on the left side as well. A desk with scraps and bolts of cloth strewn all over it. Jel turned towards me the look on his face was one of a man who had his heart trampled on.

“Jel, are you okay?”

“Corinth. You’re finally here. I'm sorry, you seem to have walked in on me in a rather pitiful state.”

“Did something happen?”

“Everything, yet nothing to concern yourself with though. I suppose you are here for your fitting?”

“Yes, Reth said you were looking for me earlier,” I asked, my eyes meeting his as I walked forward towards him. The look on his face fell further into despair and I wondered if I had said something wrong, but he quickly let out a breath and gave me a shallow smile.

“Yes. I indeed was. I’m happy he was able to relay my message. Did you receive the washing board and detergent?”

“I did, I wasn’t able to use them yet, so I’m still in my soiled clothing…”

“Oh that is fine, you’ll need to be out of them anyway when I take my measurements,” Jel said, nonchalantly as walked around his desk and grabbed a bar that had various colors of fabrics in patches along the stick. “First, I need to find what colors look good on you first. Stand in front of the big mirror on your right for me please?” Jel asked, as I turned to my right and came face to face with a large mirror.

I suddenly was sitting in front of a dressing room mirror with a make-up artist as she put make-up on my face. I was wearing a glittery silver outfit that showed a lot of skin. The wig on my head felt hot but there was a fan blowing on me, keeping me from sweating. There was a lot of rushing around going on behind me, but I knew I had to stay perfectly still.

“Corinth, you go on in five.” The make-up artist let go of my face so I could respond. A simple nod would do so I nodded in agreement.

I was back in the clothing shop with Jel, and he put the bar over my shoulder and started thumbing through the different colors.

“See, I knew it, purple is perfect. Both deep purple and lilac purple make your skin pop and the gray. Silver fabric is to die for against your skin tone. This bright blue color too. Black is gorgeous as well, and brown works wonders for you too. A deep hunter green could work. Teal is pretty too. Canary yellow could work too.” Jel’s eyes met mine through the mirror and a devious smirk lined his lips as he stepped back and snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it. Why haven’t I thought of this before…” He made a mad dash back to his desk rummaging through the fabric on his desk and then over to his wall of bolts of cloth. He began pulling scraps of cloth from off his desk and pinning them together.

I looked at him confused as to why he was running around his shop. “Jel, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to run upstairs and grab a pen and paper really quick. Don’t go anywhere.” I let out a huff of air while shifting my weight from one foot to the other. Jel then came back downstairs again. “I just realized something, I’m out of purple fabric, but that’s fine. I can dye some cloth with some shells I keep on—oh my dragon! Seriously?”

“Is something wrong?”

“I’m out of seashells. You wouldn’t happen to be heading to Bahari Bay in the next few days, would you?”

“I’m going out there tomorrow. I have to talk to Hodari about getting an upgraded pickaxe. Why?”

“Oh thank the Dragon, if you can collect some seashells for me, I will forever be indebted to you.”

“Sure, I can.”

“Oh thank you Corinth…that’s one less thing I have to worry about. Let me write down the ideas for your dress here really quick then I will take your measurements. I think this may be my best idea yet. I’m going to take Bahari City by storm with this. I just know it.”

“Okay.” I waited patiently, part of me wanted to peek over his shoulder to see what he was sketching or writing but I knew I’d be annoyed if someone did the same to me. After about twenty minutes of waiting, Jel put down his pen and looked at me, giving me a genuine smile for the first time since I arrived at his shop. He then got up off the chair and went to a dresser I had noticed for the very first time since arriving and pulled out a very thin, white silk slip.

“I’ll have you change into this in the dressing rooms over there and we can begin,” Jel said, as he handed the delicate slip to me. I took it gratefully.

“Does everything need to come off?” I asked, suddenly feeling apprehensive.

“Keep your underwear on, but the bra will need to come off. I will need accurate measurements of your chest.”

“Will you be taking the measurements?” I asked, and I could tell Jel could feel my nervousness with this whole situation.

“Are you uncomfortable with that?” Jel asked, his eyes meeting mine again.

I bit my lip. “A little.”

“Very well, I understand. While you change, I can grab Tish, I’ve shown her how to take measurements.” I nodded. Feeling a bit of relief wash over me. I gave a smile as I turned on my heel and walked into the dressing room. There was another mirror in here as well. I undressed, and soon I was standing topless, in just my underwear. I glanced over my body.

I examined myself for a moment, everything felt familiar. I had sunkissed mahogany wavy hair, my complexion was a tan olive skin tone, and light brown areolas marked my breasts. The only thing that didn’t seem familiar was my eyes. My eyes were this striking aqua-blue color. I had never seen it in any other human I came across. Sure, there were dark blue, light blue, brown, and the occasional green and gray eyes. Not near neon aqua blue.

I let out my breath and pulled the slip over my head. The fabric felt very smooth and silky. It was indeed silk, but it felt amazing against my skin. My nipples hardened when the cooler fabric hit them and an involuntary shiver ran through me, followed by goosebumps that seemed to pop up from my neck down over the rest of my body. The slip ended right below my ass, so I had to be cautious if I needed to bend over to avoid my ass from literally hanging out. I folded all of my discarded clothes and set them in a corner before stepping out, completely barefoot. The hard tile floor was cool on the bottom of my bare feet causing another wave of goosebumps to go racing up on my skin again. Before me, stood Jel and Tish.

Tish was holding Jel’s measuring tape. “Hey Corinth! How are you doing? Jel told me you would prefer it if I did your measurements. If you can stand on this pedestal here, I’ll get started.”

“I’m good Tish. Right here?” I asked as I pointed to the wooden pedestal that stood about a foot off the ground.

“Yep!”

“Okay.” I said as I stepped up onto the pedestal. Tish decided to start low and work her way up. So, my inseam measurement was first. I jumped when I felt Tish’s thumb hit my womanhood. Granted, yes, I was still wearing my underwear, but I didn’t think she would have to go all the way up there. She rattled off a number before wrapping the tape around my hips and did the same. My waist was next but when it came to trying to measure my chest, Tish tried to reach but found the pedestal was too tall for her to reach.

“Jel. I can’t get her chest, could you? You’re so much taller than me.” Tish said, but I could tell she was flushed. Being this close to me seemed to affect her. I couldn’t lie to myself either, even though it was innocent, I felt myself grow hot when Tish’s hands grazed against the silk while taking the measurements.

Tish handed Jel the measuring tape and Jel looked at me, his gaze meeting mine. “Raise your arms over your head please, Corinth. Tish can you write down the measurements please?”

“Okay.” I said as I raised my hands up over my head and Jel wrapped the measuring tape around my chest just below my breasts. I felt cool air hit my bottom and I realized that the slip had inched up over the hump of my ass and my panties were exposed. “Um…” I looked down and both Jel and Tish’s faces were red. Both had definitely noticed my predicament.

“It’s fine. 32 Tish.”

“32…oh yeah. Sorry.” Tish said as she averted her eyes away from my bottom and wrote down the number Jel had just said. Jel then slid the measuring tape over my hardened nipples and a moan nearly escaped from my throat. I flushed even harder, and I started feeling a heaviness between my hipbones that seemed to curl around my womanhood.

“38 and a half. Tish! Pay attention, please.”

“I’m sorry. 38 and a half, got it.”

Then Jel slid the tape to the top of my breasts. “34. You can lower your arms dear.” I lowered my arms, and the slip had covered my panties again.

Suddenly the tape was wrapped around my neck, this time it was a bit tight. Jel pulled on the tape a bit tighter, and I found myself being pulled back, so I brought my hands up around my neck to try and pull it away, but he wrapped his arm around my arms pinning my arms against my chest. I was on my tiptoes, barely able to keep my balance. My back was against Jel’s chest. My breath hitched in my throat; the measuring tape was constricting almost closing off my airflow. My heart was racing, my body felt so hot. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. What was happening? Why was this so fucking erotic?

I opened my mouth to protest, my heart racing ever faster in my chest but I soon as I made a sound the tape was pulled even tighter strangling any noise coming out of my throat. “You’re distracting my apprentice and myself. What am I to do with such beauty in front of me? I can smell your arousal, my dear. Do you like this?” Jel whispered his voice husky.

“Nngh.” I said, and Jel loosened the tape around my throat. “Y-Yes.”

“Hm. Interesting. Tish, 14 and three quarters.”

As sudden as Jel was on me, he released me with a smirk on his face. The tape had been removed and I was pushed upright again. I coughed to clear my throat. Tish had crossed her legs, seemingly aroused as well by what had just transpired. “That was interesting, and fun. Thank you, Corinth. You can get your clothes back on. I have what I need.”

I flushed so badly before I turned on my heel, I didn’t walk, I ran into that dressing room. My heart was still racing in my chest and my womanhood was throbbing. What the fuck just happened? How did that fitting take such a 180-degree turn? I could hear Jel and Tish talking, while I got my clothes back on. I folded up the slip and walked out of the dressing room.

“That’s all you needed?” I asked as my eyes met Jel’s and his eyes slowly drank me in.

“Yes, it was. When can I expect those shells?”

“By tomorrow night at the latest,” I said, my hand going up to my neck and I could feel the impressions left on it from the measuring tape. "What should I do with this?"

“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then. As for the slip? Keep it as a souvenir.” Jel said, as he winked at me a mischievous smirk lining his lips.

I nodded in understanding and swallowed again. “See you later.”

“Yes, ta-ta for now dear.”

I left Jel’s shop, confused, in a state of arousal, yet wanting more.

Chapter Text

I finally made it back to my plot. I had managed to calm down. The indented line across the base of my neck from Jel’s tape measure was slowly fading and returning to normal. I tossed the slip I had been given as well as the fish and soup flask into my storage bins and glanced up at the sun. I would guess it was probably around 3 p.m. maybe 3:30. I figured it was time to place down the blueprint for my newly acquired harvest house and hopefully when I came back it would be ready.

I thought I had required items, but realized, I didn’t have wood planks or stone blocks.

“Ugh! I can’t freaking believe this.” I said to myself.

I decided to wash my dingy clothes in the pond adjacent to my plot. I stripped off all my clothes and put on the slip Jel had given me and nothing else, I washed my clothes and hung them up to dry. I was supposed to be at Daiya’s Farm around 7 p.m. I still had time, so I made a wardrobe, a bed, a dining room table, and a lone chair. By the time I got the furniture done, Auni was racing up to my plot.

“Corinth! Are you coming to our house tonight for dinner?” He then stopped in his tracks. “What are you wearing? That doesn’t seem…you’re almost naked!” The young boy said as he put a hand up to shield his eyes.

“I’m sorry Auni, I just washed all my clothes.” I felt bad. I probably just traumatized the poor kid. I pointed to the large tree next to my plot where all my clothes were hanging.

“Oh, that’s okay. I think Ashura actually sent a letter to you, there’s one from Hodari, another one from Jel, one from Reth, one from Caleri, and one from Jina.” Auni said as he put the letters into my mailbox. I smiled at the kid “I gotta go! See you later! Bye!”

And with that, Auni took off out of my gate. I opened Ashura’s letter first, which basically said he had a wood axe upgrade as well as a sawmill recipe that I could use to help build my house. Gee would’ve been nice to know this morning. He also had my clothes laundered and pressed from when I arrived, and they were in the letter as well. I grabbed the clothes that were at the bottom of the letter, and they materialized in my hand. I would probably never get over that honestly.

The next letter was from Hodari, basically saying he had a pickaxe upgrade for me and a recipe for a smelter. Sweet. I knew what I was doing first thing in the morning. I’d stop by the Inn and pick up the wood axe and sawmill before heading out to Bahari Bay. I had never been, but I could study the map Jina gave me whenever I got back tonight from dinner.

I then opened Jel’s letter. His letter was apologetic saying that he was sorry for how he acted earlier this afternoon. I blushed when I read that, and tingles ran down my spine. He would be awaiting my return with the shells. Inside was a beautiful outfit as his way of apologizing. It was the same style of leggings I wore just in a gorgeous dark teal color. There was also a three-quarter-sleeved jacket as well in a light teal color. Perfect. I could wear that to dinner tonight.

The next one I opened was from Reth basically giving me the blueprint to the cooking spit he referenced this afternoon when I talked to him. I pulled the blueprint off the letter and immediately built it. I would have to thank him when I saw him next. The next letter was from Caleri. It was a library card. Sweet! I guess I wasn’t banned for life after all.

The last one was from Jina who found out the glowy tube thing I found was actually an ancient human battery used to open doors of the various temples that littered the landscape. She asked me to try to open the door past the Phoenix Shrine I had materialized in. I would have to try to do that when I could. I also remember that Hassian needed my help with Tau too.

I stored the battery in my storage bin, then grabbed Jel’s outfit and got dressed in that, before I raced off the plot and ran over to the Daiya farm for dinner.

Dinner was good. There was creamy carrot soup, freshly baked bread, and apple pie with fresh ormuu ice cream for dessert. I offered to help out with the dishes, and luck would have it, Dalaila had Nai’o help me while Auni ran off to play cards with Hassian, and Dalaila and Badruu did the last bit of farm chores before the sun set below the horizon.

“I like your outfit Corinth. Did Jel make it?”

“Yes actually.”

“I recognize his handiwork anywhere. Um. I know it’s probably not my place to ask or say anything but are you all right?”

I pulled my eyebrows together in confusion as I focused on scrubbing the dried carrot soup off of a bowl. I gave a little shrug. “I’m fine, why do you ask?”

“Well. Dragon, now I’m too deep to back out of this.” Nai’o said, as he leaned against the counter and turned his body towards me. “I saw Jel choking you with something earlier. I wanted to intervene, but I saw Tish there too. I mean, I wasn’t trying to look or nothing h-honest, I was just alarmed. I did talk to Jel about it. Did you receive a letter from him?”

I was gob smacked. Nai’o had witnessed the whole interaction Jel and I had earlier. I never wished for the Earth to swallow me whole more than in that moment. How the fuck was I going to explain this? “Uh…yeah I don’t know what was up with that earlier. That took me by surprise too.” I said, as I handed him the now clean bowl and he dried it off with the towel he had in his hands.

“Are you going to stay away from him? Why did he choke you like that?”

“Nai’o, I wish I had an answer, and I’m sorry you had to see that. I was getting a fitting done and Tish was taking my measurements and asked for Jel to take over. The fitting flipped on its head once he took over. I’m okay. I promise. I don’t think he meant anything malicious by it. I think he’s just had a bad day and took his frustrations out on me. That’s all.”

“Who would take their frustrations out on you though? You are new here. Look, if he does that again, come tell me. I’ll knock him out for you.” Nai’o said as he set the bowl on the stack of dishes he had already dried. I let out a small laugh of amusement.

“Like I said Nai’o, I don’t think Jel really meant anything by it. He just had a moment, you know? I’m obviously fine, I’m standing here in front of you aren’t I?”

“Yes, you look visibly fine, but how’s your head?”

“My head? It’s fine.”

“You’re not angry at Jel, not a single bit?”

I shook my head, “No. It’s hard to explain really. I won’t get into that here though.” I said as I handed Nai’o another washed bowl. All that was left was the silverware now.

“Okay. I understand.” Nai’o said as he dropped the topic. “How are you liking Kilima so far?”

“I like it. The people are nice enough, and it’s beautiful here.”

“That’s great,” Nai’o said, as he watched me carefully as I scrubbed on the silverware making sure all the bits of food were off before handing the pile to Nai’o who diligently dried them off before putting them where they went. I drained the water which I noticed drained into a bucket. I raised my eyebrow at Nai’o. Nai’o just smiled at me and grabbed the bucket. “Wanna go for a walk with me? I can show you around.” Nai’o said as he handed me the dish towel to dry my hands off.

“Thank you, and yes, I wouldn’t mind that at all,” I said, as I dried my hands off and set the towel on the countertop before following Nai’o out. Nai’o dumped the water out on an apple tree.

“Just wait there, I’ll put this bucket back and we can head out.”

“Nai’o! Where are you going?”

“Out to show Corinth all of Kilima, Mother, I don’t expect to be back until late tonight.”

“Okay dearie, be safe and keep Corinth safe, she’s a gem that one—”

I couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation, which was fine. I looked out to the horizon and watched the remnants of the sunset slowly fade into the blackness of night. Nai’o came back out with a picnic basket, and I looked questionably at him. “Mom packed us food.”

“This isn’t a date…and I ate plenty earlier.”

“Try telling my mom that,” Nai’o said, as he offered his arm to me. “You don’t have to take my arm, but I want to make sure you don’t fall.”

“Okay,” I said as I looped my left arm through his arm. We walked to the west, towards the fading sunset. I didn’t realize there was a beach behind the farm. We walked along the coast, Nai’o was telling me about all the memories he had as a boy and telling me about the various sights I hadn’t seen yet. From the sewer on I recognized everything, but Nai’o still had stories to tell. Especially the one where he and Kenyatta had accidentally knocked Einar into Fishermen’s Lagoon when they were kids had my side-splitting in laughter.

We went back into town and Kenyatta was waiting by the stables. Her glare could be felt from hundreds of feet away and I had stopped laughing as she marched straight over to us. Clearly angry by her body language.

“Nai’o what is the meaning of this? I’ve been here waiting for you for hours. What are you doing with Corinth?”

“Babe, I was showing her around Kilima. Mom—”

“Your mom had something to do with this didn’t she?”

“Yes. But I was going to show Corinth the dragon shrine next. You can come if you want.”

“Good cause I was tagging along anyway, whether you wanted me to or not. I hope that’s okay with you Corinth.”

“That’s fine,” I said, as I let my eyes drift over Kenyatta’s frame. I wasn’t annoyed. I knew they were in a relationship. What happened next, however, did take me by surprise. Kenyatta slinked her arm underneath mine and caressed my arm down until she took my hand in hers. I looked at her and she gave me a smirk and my hand a squeeze. I let out a snort of amusement and squeezed her hand back.

I was pretty convinced at this point that the majiri had a higher body temperature than I did. I wasn’t cold once with Nai’o on my left, and Kenyatta to my right as we walked to the Dragon Shrine Garden. Upon walking through the garden, we settled down on a flat plateau overlooking the garden. It was beautiful and the two moons provided plenty of light for us.

Kenyatta opened up the picnic basket and there were two sandwiches, two slices of pie, and stuffed mushrooms. As well as a note from Dalaila addressed to Nai’o.

“Nai’o I hope you and Corinth enjoy these sandwiches on your date. You two are so cute together and remind me of your father and me when we were young.” Kenyatta said as she read the note aloud she then crumpled it in her hand in anger. “So this was a date. Nai’o you have got some explaining to do, I knew your mother didn’t like me but to set you up on a date with a human is low, even for her.”

I immediately went into defensive mode. “Kenyatta, I didn’t know about all of this, Nai’o had his suspicions, but I want to be crystal clear on this, I am not looking for a relationship. I don’t have a house; I hardly have anything to offer. Let’s not get up in arms about all of this okay?”

“No. This isn’t right. If your mom really wants to hate me, I’ll make it worth her while.” Kenyatta said as she launched herself onto her feet, but I stepped in her way.

“Kenyatta, confronting Dalaila will not solve anything. Okay? As I said before, I didn’t even know about this. I’m still trying to figure things out, and everyone seems to be obsessed with me. Like everyone I’ve come across has wanted a piece of me. There have been people who have genuinely wanted to help, and for that I’m grateful. But I feel everyone’s glances, I’ve caused people to act out of character and honestly, it’s coming off a bit too strong for me. So please, can you sit and not do anything rash?”

“Whoa. Corinth are you okay? That was a rant and a half if I’ve ever seen one, also can you elaborate? Who acted out of character towards you?”

I was about to tell her it was none of her business, but Nai'o beat me to the punch. “Babe, I saw Jel choking Corinth earlier today. She and I have discussed it.”

“Oh fuck no, who the fuck does Jel think he is…he can’t go around doing that shit.” She once again launched up onto her feet. But Nai’o too, launched to his feet and blocked Kenyatta.

“Kenyatta, stop.”

“Nai’o. Get out of my way.”

“Kenyatta, sit your ass down and let me explain, you too Nai’o. I didn’t fully explain what happened when I told you about it earlier. We’re out here where no one can hear us, so I might as well be forthcoming with everything. But I swear to whatever deity you pray to; it better not be spread throughout the village.”

Kenyatta rolled her eyes at me. “Fine. Explain.” Kenyatta said as she sat back down on the ground again. Nai’o joined her. I too, sat on the ground across from both Kenyatta and Nai’o.

“Good, I was in Jel’s shop for a fitting. It was innocent at first. Tish was taking my measurements, and I was just standing there. The pedestal Jel uses is like a foot off the ground and Tish is short so while she could reach my chest, she couldn’t accurately read the numbers. So, she asked Jel to do it. Tish kept looking at me instead of paying attention to what Jel was doing or saying. When my arms were lifted, the slip I wore exposed my panties. While he measured my chest, he was kind of teasing me with the tape. He kept snapping at Tish to pay attention and when he got to my neck, something in him snapped I guess. He started choking me with the tape. I reached up to try to pull it off, but he wrapped an arm around me pinning my arms there, and pulled my body toward him. He whispers ‘You are distracting my apprentice and myself. What am I to do with such beauty before me? I can smell your arousal. Do you like this?’ I didn’t know what to do or say really…”

“So like what? You actually liked Jel choking you like that?” Kenyatta asked, raising an eyebrow at me. Nai’o was strangely quiet, but he was chewing his lip in contemplation.

“Strangely yes. As I said to Nai’o I don’t understand my reaction to it, because I tried to pull the tape away from my neck but when Jel pinned my arms, I felt…safe. Like I knew he wasn’t going to seriously hurt me.” I said as I plucked some grass and twisted the blades between my fingertips.

Kenyatta rubbed her throat with her hand. “Damn girl. I think the lack of oxygen messed with your head.”

Nai’o pulled his eyebrows together. “Why didn’t Tish intervene?”

“Tish was groping me before she let Jel take over. It was subtle, but now when I look back her touches were deliberate. I honestly think they were both in on it. I saw how Tish looked after Jel stepped away. She looked…what the word I’m looking for…”

“Aroused? Turned on?” Kenyatta interjected and I nodded.

“Yeah, and she was pressing her bottom against the chair like one does when they have to piss really bad—”

“Oh yeah, they were both in on it then. Shit! I thought Tish was a goody-two-shoes. Wholesome and pure. I wonder if she and Jel have fucked—”

“I haven’t seen a pin on either one of them babe,” Nai’o said as he looked at Kenyatta.

Kenyatta just rolled her eyes. “Most of us now will just fuck without even getting a pin these days. When you want it ya know, why even go through the proper channels of courtship and dating. I mean Jel strikes me as that type though. I’ve heard stories of some of the nobility getting freaky, and Jel I’m certainly positive is a sexual freak. I’ve heard he’s done shit with Reth so why not shag his sister. Two for one ya know?”

I looked at Kenyatta with a completely shocked look on my face.

Nai’o blushed, “I hate it when you talk like that about our friends Kenyatta.”

Kenyatta looked at him with disdain on her face. “Why? I’m just being honest.”

“Jel and Reth though? Seriously?” I asked just to clarify she wasn’t mistaken. The pieces were starting to fall into place.

“Oh yeah, they went from hot and heavy to almost as cold as ice to each other overnight. Ashura told me that Reth and Jel kept him up during his day nap at the Inn. I guess they had this explosive argument. Over what? No clue, but yeah after that fight, Reth rarely stops by Jel’s shop after his shift at the Inn anymore.” Kenyatta said, as she split one of the sandwiches and gave me half.

“Thank you.” I said before I took a bite.

“But yeah, I hate to say this Corinth, but you might have been subjected to Jel’s revenge.”

“His revenge?” I asked looking at her confused.

“Don’t play coy on this Corinth,” Kenyatta said, as she took a bite of her half of the sandwich. “Jel knows you’ve taken a liking to Reth. You run by Jel’s shop every single day since you’ve arrived and go to the Inn for Reth’s loaded potato soup. Everyone in town knows about that.”

I blushed. “Really? Everyone knows? His loaded potato soup is amazing though. I swear.”

“Oh my Dragon, Corinth you are too cute, but I see right through that bullshit. You’re not just there for the soup are you? I mean I don’t blame you though. Reth is hot as fuck, if I wasn’t with Nai’o, I would’ve hopped on his dick already.”

I let out a laugh of disbelief at what I was hearing. Nai’o too was shocked. “Babe!”

“Nai’o shut up and quit acting like you’re so innocent. I’m taking the blinders off Corinth, so she’s not blindsided later. Look I know ancient humans were freaks, but the majiri, we’re freakier. Anything goes here, and when I say anything I mean anything but there’s also a culture of consent as well. You can choose to be a part of that or not, but that choice is yours to make and yours alone. Everyone else must respect whatever choice you make. If anyone tries to force you or pressure you to do anything you’re not comfortable with and I mean this wholeheartedly, you come find me. I have a shovel and I know how to hide a body.” Kenyatta said, as she looked at me while she finished her sandwich.

I nodded. “Okay. I understand. So Reth and Jel were once a thing and you and Nai’o I’m assuming you two have—”

“Not yet, not for the lack of trying but we’re both really busy people. We’ve fooled around a bit, but we haven’t gone all the way yet. He hasn’t been with anyone and yeah, I want it to be special for him.”

“And you?”

“I’m experienced, we’ll put it that way,” Kenyatta said, as she winked at me, and I blushed.

I sucked on my lip. “I see. Is there anything else I should know?” I asked my eyes meeting those of the svelte majiri woman.

She smirked. “Oh, there’s lots, but I think that’s all the gossip I’m willing to share tonight,” Kenyatta said, as she let out a huge yawn. “Oh my, I’m getting tired. What are your plans for tomorrow Corinth?”

“I’m going to pick up my upgrades from Ashura before heading for Bahari Bay in the morning,” I said, looking at Kenyatta. The woman looked like she was about to doze as she laid her head on Nai’o’s shoulder. I was envious. I knew sleep was natural, and necessary to function normally. I secretly wondered if whatever deity brought me here prevented me from sleeping.

“Oh, Bahari is beautiful Corinth. You will love it. Sometimes I go on backpacking trips through Bahari Bay. If you want, I can hit you up the next time I go. It’ll be fun, but I think Nai’o, and I will walk you back to your plot.” Kenyatta said as she got up. Nai’o got up as well and somehow, I was smashed between them again as we made our way to my plot. I gave both Nai’o and Kenyatta a hug before going through the gate that teleported me to my plot.

It was incredibly late and sleep never once came to me. I did lie down and rest but couldn’t actually fall asleep. I didn’t know if it had to do with the planet or something up in my body, but I fought sleep time and time again. I got up a few hours later and stretched. The air was chilly but not biting cold. I cooked up a few more fish and some mushrooms I had stored away and threw them in my bag to keep my focus up and Reth’s soup canteen. I made sure I had plenty of space in my bag for foraging then made my way out and I brought all my gold with me so I could pay for any tool upgrades. Hopefully, it was enough. I managed to sell some carrots and other things I came across and had about 1,500 pieces of gold. I studied the map Jina had given me for Bahari Bay and familiarized myself with it before taking off out of my gate.

I knew Ashura was still at the front desk of the Inn, so I made my way there first and bought the sawmill recipe and the standard wood axe upgrade for 350 gold pieces. Upon paying, he offered me some hot apple cider, and day-old bread with some freshly churned ormuu butter that had honey and cinnamon mixed into it. We sat in front of the hearth and talked for a bit. Ashura mentioned if I came across any dari clove, I should bring back some since their shipment was late, and Reth promised to make him some Chapaa Masala.

It was a nice change in pace, but once I finished my cider and bread, I thanked him for everything then I headed straight for Bahari Bay. When I arrived, I was in awe of the beautiful scenery and landscape. Kenyatta was right, this place was beautiful.

I quickly found Hodari’s house and upon a quick look inside, I didn’t see him there, so I crossed the bridge that was at the base of a beautiful waterfall, and I quickly got a drink from the stream before walking to what looked to be a workshop of some kind. Sure enough, there was Hodari, tinkering on something on the workbench in the center of the workshop.

He looked up at me and stopped what he was doing. “Mornin’, how are you doing Corinth?”

I smiled at the man and slowly approached the workbench. “I’m good, what are you working on?” I asked, pointing at the contraption Hodari had on the workbench.

“Oh this? An automated digger. It makes mining iron a helluva lot easier. The damn thing broke down on me last night. Have you had breakfast? Do you drink coffee?”

“I—uh, had some bread and apple cider Ashura gave me, but nothing substantial for breakfast, and did you say coffee?” I asked my eyes meeting his.

A smirk lit his lips. “Take it I said the magical word? Come on, I’ll make us some breakfast. I ain’t much of a cook but I can whip up a mean omelet. You can meet my daughter too while you’re at it.” I followed Hodari to his house. “Take a seat at the dining table and I’ll whip us up some breakfast and get some coffee on. I wasn’t expecting you this early, but I guess that gives me an excuse to take a break.” Hodari said, as he scooped some ground coffee into a percolating coffee pot and put it on his stove. “Najuma, git up we got company.”

A young preteen girl stepped out of her room, her left hand up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She had flaming red hair, with freckles that dotted her face, and green eyes. That was when I noticed it, her left leg was made completely out of metal. I frowned. “Mm, dad, what’s going on?”

“I’m cooking breakfast for you darlin’, come in and meet Corinth, she’s new in these parts.”

“Mm, good morning Corinth, I’m Najuma.” Najuma said as she sat across the table from me, dressed in her pajamas still, with a wild case of bedhead. “Did my dad invite you over?”

“Well he did yesterday, I figured since I couldn’t sleep I’d come by first thing this morning.”

“I see. We don’t get too many humans out this way, most of them stay in Kilima.”

I could hear Hodari crack some eggs into a bowl before he grabbed what I assumed was a fork or something to whisk the eggs with. “Yeah, it was a bit of a trek to get here, but it’s beautiful here. I see why you and your father prefer it here.”

“I wish he’d let me in the mines though…”

“Baby girl, you know the reasoning behind that. How many times are we going to discuss this?”

“But dad—”

“But dad nothin’ Juma. Not now, not in front of company.”

Najuma frowned. “Fine.” the girl said, crossing her arms over her chest. We sat in silence until Hodari served us plates with omelets on them. Hodari then set a cup of piping hot coffee in front of me.

“Cream? Sugar?”

“Um, both please.”

“Hm. Leta liked both in her coffee too.” Hodari mumbled under his breath as he set down a pot of cream and a bowl of sugar in front of me. I raised an eyebrow toward Hodari, and he shook his head. “Forget I said that. Dig in, I hope it’s to your likin’”

“It smells delicious. Thank you.” I said as I dressed my coffee to my liking before tucking into the omelet.

“I take it it’s your first time in the bay?” Hodari asked, as he sat next to me. I nodded.

“Yeah, Kenyatta told me it’s beautiful, and she was right.”

“Well, after we eat, I’ll take ya for a tour around. Show you all the good spots to mine once I git ya set up with your upgraded pickaxe, and smelter. They ain’t cheap though.”

“I did bring gold with me. How much?”

“Should be 350.”

“Okay,” I said, nodding as I got the required gold out of my bag and gave it to Hodari who in turn grabbed the blueprint for the smelter and the upgraded pickaxe and handed them to me. Our hands brushed against each other in the exchange and Hodari withdrew his hand quickly like I was hot to the touch. I smiled at him before putting the blueprints in my bag and continued eating my omelet and drinking my coffee.

By the time I finished everything, Najuma had finished her food and had given me the list of materials needed for a glider she was working on. She’d gladly let me have a prototype as long as I brought her the materials. I thought that was a fair trade so I promised that the next time I came to the bay, I would bring them with me. She then left Hodari and me and went back to bed.

Hodari then collected all the plates and set them in the sink before we headed out. Hodari showed me all over Bahari Bay. It was nice having a tour guide, even though he wasn’t much of a conversationalist, I appreciated his time and knowledge of the area. He showed me herbs I couldn’t find in Kilima. Sweet leaf, which he said makes a lovely tea, and if I ground it up, I could use it as a sweetener for various dishes. Dari clove, which was a beautiful herb used in making a heavenly spice mix, and heat root which was used medicinally and in dishes to add a potent kick which was spicier than spice roots. We went to the beach where he watched me as I collected oysters, shells, and coral.

I had consumed what was in Reth’s soup canteen to keep my focus up, because I started feeling hazy-headed, and nearly fell into the water while grabbing an oyster. Hodari, luckily, grabbed hold of me, before I actually fell in. The man blushed before setting me down on a nearby rock.

“Thanks for that.” I said, pulling out Reth’s soup canteen.

“T’was nothing, just be careful,” Hodari said gruffly. He then showed me the caves and the flooded fortress.

We went to the outskirts next, and there was a woman who had a perfect hourglass frame. I found my eyes drawn to her as we approached her.

“Hodari, darling, I’m not used to seeing you out this far. What brings you out here to see lil’ ole’ me?”

“I didn’t come to see you; I’m showing Corinth around Bahari Bay. Corinth, this here’s Tamala.”

“Corinth, you say. My, she is a strapping young thing, isn’t she? Gorgeous too.” Tamala said as she circled around me, eyeing my body up and down. “If I didn’t know any better, Hodari, I’d say you’ve taken a liking to her already. I mean, who wouldn’t, an ass like that, those legs, that striking gaze of hers, damn…I hope you’ll share…”

Hodari was clearly flustered by Tamala’s comments. “Now don’t you start in with that Tami.”

“What? Me? Do you not see this delectable morsel of flesh standing next to you Hodari? She’s so sexy…” Tamala then leaned into and traced as finger on the side of my face. Before tracing it down towards the center of my chest. I couldn’t really move, I felt entranced. “I hope you do come see me soon, I would like to sample that pretty little pink—”

Hodari then smacked Tamala’s hand away before yanking on my left arm hard and began dragging me away from the woman. “Alright I’ve heard enough Tamala; I didn’t bring her out here to be harassed by you. Come on Corinth,”

Tamala let out a deafening belly laugh. “Oh Hodari, you are funny! I will get a taste of her one day, but not today sadly. By the way, I have a sleeping potion I was on my way to deliver for you darling, you should be running low on your supply by now, right? Would you like it?”

Hodari let out of huff, knowing she had what he needed. “Yes. 500 gold?”

“That’s the going rate for this stuff, but I can throw in some extra for your pretty young thing too. I do hear humans have a terrible time sleeping.”

“Wait—how’d you know?” I asked making eye contact with the woman.

“I know a lot of things darling, but my knowledge doesn’t come cheap. But I can think of other ways you can pay me…”

“Damn it Tamala, knock that shit off. Take the coin, give me my shit, and go collect some herbs or sumthin’ elsewhere.” Hodari said, practically growling at this point.

Tamala clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes in mock disbelief at Hodari’s attitude. “Fine. Here. There are five extra vials in there as I promised…see you around…” Tamala said, as she handed over a pouch filled with 30 or 40 vials of dark purple liquid. Hodari practically threw her a pouch of coins before dragging me down the path in the original direction we were headed away from her. “Oh, but I do love to watch you walk away…”

Hodari grunted gruffly. He was annoyed. “By the Dragon, I can’t stand her ass, I’m sorry you had to put up with that. I tried to keep her off of ya as much as I could. She just doesn’t know when to quit”

“It’s okay. It’s not the strangest thing I’ve had to encounter since arriving here, unfortunately…”

Hodari looked at me with a look of disbelief or shock, maybe it was a mixture of both. “I—I don’t need ta know…I’m sure I’ll find out in due time; people here talk too much for their own good.”

I let out a laugh as we continued on our way. Hodari finished his tour and by that time we had made a full circle back to his house. He dropped the bag of vials on the table and counted them out. Sure enough, Tamala had given him five extra.

“Here,” Hodari said, as he pushed the vials across the table towards me. I picked them up and put them in my bag. “They’re sleeping potions. With all the work I do in the mines my back is absolute shit, I drink one every night so I can pass out and be pain-free in the morning. But I gotta ask, have you slept at all since arriving here?”

I shook my head. “I can’t sleep. I have tried, but I don’t know if it’s my body, or if it’s this world I magically appeared in. Everything tells me this is the Earth I left, landscape has changed a lot, but somehow it’s very different from the Earth I was on when I was living my previous life. I hope one day I’ll have the answers.”

“I hope so too, but please, please, take care of yourself darlin’, if you have issues tonight, drink one of those, and you’ll be right as rain. I promise. Also, about Reth—”

“What about him?” I asked, meeting Hodari’s gaze.

“Look, I know the guy means well, but avoid getting too close to him. He’s apart of certain dealings you don’t want to get entangled with. Nefarious dealin’s if ya catch my drift. I care bout’ ya, and I don’t wanna see you end up like him. Take my advice, or don’t, but I know you an’ him are getting close. He’s a good man, just in over his head.” Hodari said as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

“Hm. Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. Was that everything you had for me?”

Hodari nodded his head. “Yeah, that about sums it up. You should go get that smelter set up and get working on that house of yours. I wish you the best and don’t be a stranger. I wanna see you around more often in these parts.” Hodari said, and again there was that stare, he looked me over one last time.

“Okay, I’ll see you around then,” I said, as I pulled my backpack on, and began stepping towards the exit of his house.

“See ya around,” Hodari said giving me another three-finger wave as I walked out of his house.

I decided to run back to my plot in Kilima and get the smelter and sawmill built. I set them up on my plot and threw all the logs I had into the sawmill, and all the stones into my smelter. I then realized I was having a hard time concentrating. I ate all the fish and mushrooms in my storage but realized I didn’t quite have enough to get all my focus back. I checked my crops knowing I had forgotten to water them before I left for Bahari Bay. So, I quickly watered them and plucked any weeds growing in.

I knew it would take some time for the planks and stone blocks to finish, so I decided to do a run into town. Emptying out my bag, I saw the vials of sleeping potion and decided to set them on top of my nightstand. They might prove useful tonight in getting some shuteye. I grabbed all my shells for Jel, all the oysters, and dari cloves in hopes that Reth would help me shuck the oysters if I paid him in dari cloves.

I left my plot, and from the position of the sun in the sky, it was between three and four in the afternoon. I ran to Jel’s shop and when he saw me walk in, he seemed very surprised to see me.

“C—Corinth? I feared I had chased you off. I do need to apologize to you regarding my actions yesterday. I was not in my right mind, and I don’t know what came over me. I did not mean to act so…feral.”
I bit my lip and slowly brought my eyes off the floor to meet his gaze. “Um—words are failing me right now, but we can talk about yesterday later. I brought you something.”

“The shells I needed for my dye! Thank you so much! With this act, you have become a true patron of the arts. May I one day prove worthy of your patronage.”

“Patronage?” I asked, looking up at him, as I began taking out all of the shells I gathered earlier this morning. “I’m confused.”

“Ah yes, I never did tell you my story, did I?” Jel said, as he waved to a chair behind his desk. “Have a seat, you can set the shells down there on the desk in front of you, I will get some water on for some tea. Please, make yourself comfortable, I will be right back.”

I simply nodded at the slender and attractive majiri man as he walked upstairs. I had gathered about 30 shells. I did as Jel instructed and laid them down on the desk, grains of sand that I couldn’t rinse off dirtying the fabrics that lay all over the table. About five minutes later, Jel exited a room upstairs and came down with a tray with a silver teapot and a couple of cups upon it.

“I hope this is okay, I kind of got some sand all over your fabric.” I said, looking up at Jel.

“That is fine. How many shells did you get me?”

“I don’t know? About 30? I didn’t know how many you needed so I just grabbed as many as I could in the time I had.” I said, crossing my legs.

“Oh my.” Jel said, as he set the tray down on top of the dresser that he pulled the slip out of yesterday. His face flushed, I couldn’t tell if it was from the exertion or embarrassment. “I forgot to tell you yesterday. I only needed five.” Jel said, as he poured me a cup of tea. I questioned if I should be accepting tea from the man who choked me just yesterday. Especially when I had nobody with me who knew where I was, or what happened between us. Where was Nai’o when I needed him?

I accepted the cup of tea when Jel handed it to me, and I set it on the desk next to me.

“Well, you have enough to last a while now, should you need them,” I said, crossing my legs and resting my hands on my belly.

“Thank you for that,” Jel said, as he pulled up another chair across from me with a cup of tea of his own and he sipped on it. “You see, I came to this village on a sort of artistic pilgrimage. For in Palia, there is no such concept as simply being born into greatness.” Jel said, and I nodded. He took another sip of his tea. “Even those born into artisan families, like mine, must earn their place.”

“Okay, so what does that have to do with me and my patronage?” I asked, curiosity running through me.

“Well, before I can stitch the name ‘Omiata’ into my clothing, I must earn the right to do so. I must be able to make clothing my patrons request. I must earn the right to stitch my own family name onto my clothing. I can’t seem to find anything to give me inspiration to make clothing worthy enough to stitch my name on…” Jel then looked at me, his eyes meeting mine over his rose-colored lenses and he lifted his cup to his lips but before he took a sip “…well that was, until I met you.” With a smirk lining his lips, he took another sip of his tea. I don’t know why, but my throat became dry, and I picked up my teacup and took a sip. Heat encroached on my face as I processed Jel’s words.

“Um—huh?”

Jel let out a snort of amusement. “Do you not see yourself with the same eyes others do? Your eyes are the most clear, pure, and untouched ocean pools I have ever seen. Your body, it’s flawlessly curvaceous with edges I fear would swallow me whole in your delicious abyss. I want to dress your body in the finest fabrics, the most luscious colors known on this planet, and I want to adorn you with the most precious materials known to majiri-kind.” Jel’s grasp on his cup tightened, and he let out a breath. “I am carrying on. I need to calm down. I do not want a repeat of yesterday. I genuinely thought I chased you away with my antics.”

“Is that what happened yesterday?”

“I’m sorry about that. Please finish your tea, you have paid for your dress with the shells you have provided, please give me time to work on it. I will send a letter when it is finished.” Jel said as he finished his tea and he got up off his chair. I did the same, I finished the tea and Jel extended his hand to receive my empty teacup.

“Okay—so about yesterday…”

“Let’s leave that conversation for another time. Perhaps after we get to know each other a bit better? I believe Reth is waiting for you.”

“—wait you know?” I asked. I was starting to think Kenyatta was right and the whole thing yesterday was revenge against Reth. But perhaps, Jel was terrible at controlling himself around me. I knew I wasn’t going to get a straight answer from him regarding the matter either way. Not today anyway.

“I see you pass my shop every day to go to the Inn. I don’t believe you have a house built yet; therefore, you do not have an oven. The Inn is the most logical place for you to go for food. I have to get started on my commissions.” Jel said as he pushed his chair over to a sewing machine he had on the left wall of his shop.

I didn’t say anything else. I just waved at Jel, and left, a bit more confused than before.

I stopped in at the Inn, and Reth was standing in his usual spot. “Fancy Pants! The usual?”

I smiled. “You know me too well,” I said, as I sat at my usual spot at the bar in front of him.

“How was Bahari Bay? You just missed Hodari. He said he gave you a tour?”

“Yes. He was very accommodating.” I said as I watched Reth disappear into the kitchen. While he was busy getting my soup I took out the dari cloves and oysters I had procured earlier that day and set them down on the counter. When Reth came back, a bowl of soup in hand, he looked at me, confused.

“What is all this?”

“I was wondering if you would teach me how to open the oysters, and in return, I would give you the dari cloves. Ashura said you’ve been needing some.”

A smile lit up Reth’s face. “Sure thing, Fancy Pants. Also—” He leaned over the counter and looked at my attire. He bit his lip, and he eyed me. “You certainly are living up to your name today, huh? Did Jel make that for you?”

I blushed, my body felt hot under his gaze. “Uh—yeah.”

Reth licked his lips. “It suits you; fancy pants.” He then popped his lips and averted his eyes away. “Eat your soup then come into the kitchen. I’ll take these and get them rinsed off for you.” Reth said, as he began taking the oysters off the bar counter, fitting about five in each hand, he walked with them into the kitchen.

I tucked into my soup. It was delicious as always. I felt fully charged and ready to go, so I grabbed my bowl, and the dari cloves and headed into the kitchen. Reth was hunched over the sink with a brush, cleaning the sand off the oysters. He glanced up at me and smiled.

“Hey Fancy Pants, set dari cloves there on the counter. I’ll take your bowl. Was the soup good?”

“As always. Thank you.” I said, as I did what was requested, and handed Reth my bowl while placing the dari cloves on the counter.

“You’re very welcome. I’m almost done washing off these oysters.”

“I should’ve made sure to rinse them off a bit better. I’m sorry about that.”

“Nah, don’t be! I love doing this stuff. I don’t know if you know this, but in Majiri culture, we have a path we’re supposed to follow. Like Tish, she’s my baby sister, she’s a wonderful carpenter. Our family line was nothing but expert craftsmen and carpenters. She really lives for that, and that was supposed to be my path, but I didn’t feel right doing it, I could never produce the same quality of furniture Tish did, so I had abandoned it.”

“I mean, that’s not uncommon in human culture. We do that kind of thing all the time.”

“It’s not? Eshe called me a path traitor.”

“I mean, you love cooking right?”

“I do. It brings me the most happiness when I can make food that makes people happy, you know?”

“Then you were right in abandoning your path—”

I was standing in a room, my arms folded across my chest. “Mom, I don’t want to go law school. I know you want me to follow in your footsteps, but I really love singing and dancing. I’ve decided to enroll at the Institute of Music and Dance in Santa Clara…”

“California!?!? Corinth, you can’t be serious.”

“I’d rather do what I love than be stuck in some stuffy suit arguing with old men all day. I know what I want, I have the looks and talent for it…”

“I knew signing you up for those dance and guitar lessons was a huge mistake. You’re going to live in squalor Corinth if you don’t reach your dreams, worse yet, you’ll end up like God damn Britney Spears having a nervous breakdown for the whole fucking world to see…do you really want that?”

“Yes momma…” I rolled my eyes. “More than anything…”

“Corinth! Corinth…Palia to Corinth you there?”

“Reth…I’m so sorry, what was I saying? I’m so sorry—"

“You had a flashback again?”

“Yeah, I was arguing with my mother about what college I enrolled in to. She was pissed.”

“Oh, so tell me about it, Fancy Pants. We may have more in common than you think.”

“Well, I guess my mother wanted me to go to law school and I didn’t want to be in a suit and argue cases for people who didn’t deserve it, I guess. I wanted to enroll in a music and dance school instead. I guess I must have made her proud.”

“Made her proud…don’t tell me…”

“One of my flashbacks was of her passing away.”

Reth frowned. “Oh, Fancy Pa—Corinth, I’m so sorry. I too, lost both my parents in an accident. That’s why Tish and I moved here. We wanted a new start and figured the fresh air would do Tish good. She was extremely sick in Bahari City.”

“She looks fine now though, and don’t be sorry. That was my old life. People live, they die, it’s the cycle of life. It happens, we all can’t live forever.”

“This is true, but you still miss them, right? Even if you don’t remember who everyone was in your previous life?”

“I do. Strangely, I was bawling like a baby and if Jel hadn’t been there, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

“You had a flashback, while he was there? When was this and where was this?”

“Um, the night before last. Fishermen’s Lagoon I think you call it.”

“He…hasn’t tried anything with you, has he? I mean not that it’s any of my business, but there’s been whispers going around.”

I blushed and immediately clammed up. “I—uh—um—”

Reth quickly scrubbed the last oyster and put it on the other side of the sink with the clean ones before glancing out to see if anyone was at the counter. He looked at me while grabbing a towel and drying his hands off quickly before I knew it, he had closed the distance between us, and he grabbed my face in his hands.

“Look at me,” Reth said, as with his thumbs, he gently pushed my chin up to meet his eyes. He was concerned. “Are the whispers true? Did he choke you with that measuring tape of his?”

“Reth, I—yes. Yes, he did.” I confessed, and there was something in Reth’s stare that was unsettling. I didn’t know if it was unhinged anger, or if it was carnal delight. Reth’s grasp on my face softened and this time he quietly examined my face. He was so hard to decipher at that moment. “I don’t know wha—"

“Say no more Fancy Pants.” Reth said as he released my face. He turned on his heel and waved me over to the sink. “I will talk to him in private.”

“Reth he didn’t scare me away though…I discussed this with—”

“Kenyatta and Nai’o. I know.” Reth said, as he pulled two shucking knives out from a drawer and a couple of towels out.

“Did they tell you?” I asked, feeling shocked and a bit betrayed.

“You know you’re not the only one with secrets Corinth, besides, your voices carry way more than you think.”

“You heard our conversation?” I asked, flabbergasted. He let out a chuckle of delight.

“Something like that, yeah,” Reth said, as he glanced at me with a mischievous look on his face. I blushed so hard. “So, you like being choked, huh?”

“Shut up,” I said, venom in my voice as I approached the counter. “Are you going to show me how to shuck these oysters or what?”

“Ooh, aggressive, I like it, Fancy Pants.” Reth flirtatiously chided, as he set two oysters on the counter. “Do you learn by seeing it done, or do you learn by being guided?”

“Why are you saying that like it has dual meanings?” I asked, glancing at him.

“Everything can have multiple meanings, Fancy Pants, how you interpret it is your meaning.”

“I guess, we’ll find out, won’t we? Show me how to shuck an oyster first, and I’ll try to follow along.”

“Okay good,” Reth said, as he started showing me step by step how to shuck an oyster. He then shucked another oyster just so I had it down. I picked up my knife, wrapping the towel around my hand as Reth had it so I wouldn’t stab myself by accident. He came up behind me. His hands were on mine, his body mere inches away from mine. I could feel the heat from his body radiate onto my backside. “Is this okay?” He asked, his eyes meeting mine, asking permission to touch me.

My heart started to race but I nodded. “Yes,” I said, and nodding, Reth began guiding my hands.

“Don’t puncture it too hard, you’ll break the shell, and you’ll have pieces of shell inside with the meat, and nobody wants to eat fragments of shell,” Reth said, as he guided my hands. “There you go. Add a bit more pressure to your towel to hold the oyster in place as you break the hinge. See? Just use enough pressure to crack the shell but not shatter it.” I pierced the knife in, and it was a clean break. “Good job now, wiggle the knife up and down. Just enough to make space to bring the knife deeper into the oyster…”

“I feel like the shell is going to shatter into pieces though.”

“It won’t, just use steady pressure and even motion.” Reth coached me. The knife easily slides into the oyster. “Good, now turn the knife towards you and spread the shell apart.”

Having Reth so close to me, whispering the directions and giving me positive compliments while saying everything so suggestively was causing me to feel warm. I took a deep breath to slow my racing heart.

“Like this?” I asked turned the knife toward myself and the shell gave way to a small opening.

“Perfect. That was nice, Fancy Pants, now, take your knife out and wipe the tip. You see the bit of shell there on your knife? You don’t want that in your oyster.” Reth whispered before leaning forward to show me the bit of shell that was indeed on my knife, but when he did so, he pressed the front of his body against me which sent shockwaves of heat rushing toward my core. I almost wanted to lean back into him but refrained. The temptation was there though.

“Oh yeah, I see that,” I said, and I cleaned the knife on the towel. “Now what?”

“Put the knife back in and wiggle it up and down all along the top shell.” I could feel his breath hit my ear and it sent shivers down my spine which caused my nipples to harden.

“All around?” I asked looking back at him, but his face was so close, I was surprised. I moved away, dropping my oyster back on the counter, and I ended up colliding with the counter. Reth pulled his arms around me tight, and I could feel him fully against me. My backside melted against his hips. My breath hitched in my throat, I could feel the partial arousal he had, and I found myself breathless, and in Reth’s embrace. My heart left into my throat. “Reth!”

“Are you okay, Fancy Pants? You look a little flustered.” Reth teased, as he let out a laugh.

“Unhand me,” I demanded, and he loosened his arms from around my waist and released me.

“I didn’t want you to fall,” Reth said, as he picked up my oyster and knife. “You smell good, Fancy Pants.”

“Ugh. I’m fine, thanks. Let’s just shuck the damn oyster.” I said, as I picked up the oyster again and thrust the knife into it. “I wiggle the knife all the way around, right?”

“Yep. All around the top of the shell and yes, you are fine.” His hands were on mine again, guiding me through. “You spin the shell at the same time you’re wiggling, then just like that…” The shell popped off the top of the oyster in my hands. “You have oysters on the half-shell. All you got to do now is slide your knife underneath the meat between the meat and the bottom shell and set it free.”

“I can eat it just like this, right?” I asked, my eyes meeting his.

“Yeah, it’s perfectly safe, see?” Reth said, as he grabbed one of the oysters he shucked earlier and slid it into his mouth. “Mm. Tastes like the ocean. Try it.”

I took the oyster I shucked and slid it into my mouth. It was surprisingly slimy, yet fresh and clean tasting. It was a little briny from being in the ocean, but the flavor was something I remembered having before in the back of my mind somewhere. “That’s actually, all right. The sliminess will take some getting used to, but that was pretty decent.”

“Not your favorite, huh?” Reth asked, and he shrugged. “Not mine either, if I’m honest, but if you sprinkle a bit of hot sauce and lemon on it, it’s delicious.”

“No. Not at all, I’ll eat it in a pinch, but I won’t go out of my way to eat it unless I’m starving.”

“You can cook these over your spit on your plot too. Just letting you know. They’re much better grilled.”

“I’ll have to try it when I get back.”

“Well let’s get the rest of these oysters shucked so you can do that,” Reth said, as he grabbed another couple of oysters out of the sink and set them on the counter for us. It took about another half hour for us to shuck all the oysters, at which time Reth had several customers come in asking for soup and alcohol. With the shucked oysters wrapped in some parchment paper, I thanked Reth, giving him a hug before taking off toward my plot.

Chapter Text

I got back to my plot, and all my stone bricks and planks were finished crafting, so I put them into building my house. I saw a timer start on the sign. I had eight whole hours before I could actually sleep in my house. The sun was low in the sky, and I groaned. The sun would be setting within the next couple of hours. Another sleepless night for me it looked like. It was fine, I decided. I could answer some of the other letters I had gotten and decided to answer Einar and Jina’s letters. I guess from Einar’s picture he was a Gauldur like Hekla. I had seen him perched at Fishermen’s Lagoon while I had been running around Kilima, and I assumed he would still be there.

I quickly took the oysters out and grilled them over the cooking spit, anything I felt I couldn’t eat in time, I threw into my shipping bin. I then grabbed my clothes that were now dry off the tree and threw them in my storage bin except the bra and panties. I also grabbed the flow battery out, knowing I would have to see Jina at some point. I put my undergarments on since I had been going commando since doing laundry. I would need to stop by Jel’s sometime in the future and make an order for bras and panties, I knew I would need a lot more of them.

I decided to go to Fishermen’s Lagoon first and catch Einar before sunset. I was shocked to see how tall Einar was, he was easily over twice my height, he looked so intimidating up close, but his fishing bobber adornments and fishing hat helped him not look so intimidating.

“Um. Hey Einar! I got your letter!”

“Salutations! You must have received my communications regarding the beloved pastime of fishing! I understand it is customary for tutelage to require work that one does from home. I know there is a word for it, but I cannot quite recall what it is...Here, why don't you give that fishing rod on your person a try? I shall be here in case you accidentally fall in.” Einar said, as he seemed to watch me patiently. I took out my fishing pole and cast it out onto the water, the hook dipping below the surface with a soft splash.

My focus was high, and I knew I could nab a fish easily. Sure enough, moments later I caught another gillyfin. I turned to Einar with the gillyfin in hand. “Hey Einar, I caught a fish?”

“Congratulations! I hope you were able to experience the same joy as I derive during such events. However, my time with Humans taught me your kind derives limited utility from living fish. Perhaps this is a more suitable reward for your efforts?” Einar said, as he handed me a whole grilled fish. “I do hope you will choose to continue this wonderful activity in the future. In the meantime, if I find anything I believe will be of interest to you, I shall have it delivered to you via mail.”

“Okay sounds good, do you perhaps sell worms or anything?”

“I sell an assortment of items for your fishing needs, I sell the worms you seek.”

“Oh okay,” I said, as I handed over some coin in exchange for some earthworms. I looked at the tall robot. “What exactly are you? I think Jina called Hekla a gauldur?”

“Yes, I am a gauldur, humans created us thousands of years ago. Hekla just came out of storage two years ago and was discovered by Jina. I have been living here in Kilima for 3,928 years, 7 months, 27 days, 3 hours, and 47 minutes. Would you like seconds and milliseconds? I am able to provide—”

“No Einar, that’s fine. You’ve been alive for nearly four thousand years? How long have humans been gone?”

“A little over 3,000 years.”

“Good grief. I need to sit.” I said as the realization came over me that every single human that had reappeared was a time traveler. Me included.

“Do you have any idea as to what caused the fall of humanity?” I asked as I cast my fishing pole out into the water this time I had a fresh worm on the hook.

“Jina and Caleri have told me humans caused their own downfall. I do know there was a time when the Earth was not compatible with supporting human and animal life. I do not know the exact reasoning, however.”

I glanced up at Einar and saw rust, moss, and signs of metal fatigue over his frame. I frowned. Surely he had seen some things in his time on this planet.

“Was your maker a fisherman?”

“My maker was indeed a fisherman, I was programmed so my oneness was fishing and conversating.”

“Oneness?”

“Yes, my oneness. Fishing is what brings me the closest to my oneness. Feel free to fish until you find your oneness. Perhaps talking to some of the majiri whom I have talked to about what oneness is.”

“I will but is it weird that I remember what made me happy actually wasn’t fishing? It was singing and dancing.”

“Ooh. That is indeed interesting. The humans I have talked to all have amnesia. They remember their name but nothing else. It is truly intriguing that you remember your life before you appeared here in Kilima. Have you talked to Jina about this?”

“I haven’t yet—” I got a bite on my pole and began reeling it in. “—so your maker, he was human? Can you tell me more about him?”

“All I can say is that he was a good man, and I was with him for 71 years before he expired.”

“How old was he, you know, died?”

“147 years old. It was common for humans to live as long as majiri do these days back then. Humans used flow in many different ways which allowed them to extend their lifespans significantly. I am made of flow, so I do not expire.” Einar said as he too cast out his line. “You have hooked a Shimmerfin, they too are infused with flow.”

“I see.” I said, looking up at Einar as I made it a point to unhook my fish and toss it into my bag. I put another worm on my hook and cast my line out again. “Are they good eating?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder at the gauldur again.

“I do not have a sense of taste. I do not have a need or require sustenance like human or majiri kind.” Einar said, looking at me with his mechanical eyes. “Please tell me what these fish taste like. I do find it fascinating what your kind experience. The senses you have, how you experience the world.” Einar said as he looked out at the sunset. “I too have some sense, but taste, smell, touch? No. My maker did not give me those.”

I too, turned towards the sunset. It was beautiful. I caught a small mouth and a large mouth bass in the silence. Then I figured I should probably go and find Jina. “Hey Einar, it was lovely chatting with you. Do you know where I’ll find Jina?”

“Jina is usually at the library at this time. She usually stays until 10 p.m.”

“Okay, thank you, Einar. See you tomorrow.” I said, waving the altitudinous gauldur goodbye. Einar said something in response but by that time, I was out of earshot. I was headed straight to the library to see Jina about what I should do about the flow battery I had in my bag. I quickly found the library and saw Hekla standing outside.

“Hey Hekla! How are you?”

“Shh! Quiet human, I am monitoring Jina’s breathing.”

“Oooookaaaayyyy…sorry.” I said, feeling a bit put off by my Hekla’s abruptness. “I’m sure she’ll be—”

“I said quiet!”

I let out a grunt of anger before ignoring the gauldur completely and going inside the library and immediately seeing Jina. She was looking through some books regarding old human texts.

“Hey Jina!”

Caleri put her finger to her lips. “Sh! Corinth, this is a place of study.”

“I’m sorry!”

Jina had looked up at me. “Corinth what are you doing here?”

I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Hey, where am I supposed to put this battery, your letter wasn’t exactly clear.”

She let out a low laugh. “Oh dear, you do know how to find your way back to the Phoenix temple, right?” Jina asked, almost in a way that seemed to insult my intelligence.

“Yes…”

“Okay, instead of going into the temple continue on down that hallway and you’ll find the door I’m talking about. Please hurry.” Jina said, as she went back to studying her book. I let out a breath, shrugging while I turned on my heel and began making my way back toward the Phoenix Temple. It was a ten-minute walk up to the Phoenix Temple but that was fine with me. I didn’t go into the temple; however, I followed Jina’s directions and went straight on to come across a door with a slot in the middle of it.

I pulled the flow battery out of my bag and held it up against the slot of the door and it seemed to be a perfect fit, so I slid it in. The ground shook underneath my feet, threatening to upend them. I stepped back, as the door split in half to unveil a stone path embossed with gold. Two waterfalls were on either side of the path and at the end there was another golden door with an inscription upon it. I slowly made my way inside.

It was beautiful and tranquil. I did see another chest behind the right waterfall but there was no feasible way to get to it. Not at the moment anyway. I glanced down at the large glass bowl mounted to the floor. As if it was a vessel for something. There was a thick layer of dust within it. Obviously from thousands of years of neglect. Taking my eyes off the bowl, I then walked up to the inscription on the door and read it.

Water? I mean water grows life, correct? That’s the feasible answer here?

I took out my watering can and shook it. It didn’t seem enough, but I knew I could easily fill it up using the waterfalls. So, I did just that before pouring the contents of my now full watering can into the bowl. As I filled it up, it began glowing pink within the veins of the glass bowl. Once again, the ground was hit by a tremor, and this time I nearly lost my balance. The pink veins seemed to grow most extensive and outwards quickly shooting up to the door and now the door glowed pink. I took a sharp breath, as thousands of years of dust flew out from the door. The tremors grew in intensity, and I held onto the bowl to keep myself from falling as the door finally split apart horizontally around the round blue seal and opened fully for me.

What was revealed was another Phoenix Statue slightly smaller than the one I had materialized from four days previously. “Holy shit, I’m alive? That was scary as fuck.” I said to no one in particular. I darted inside around the Phoenix Statue and slowed down as I came to a massive temple inside of a rock-lined cavern.

I was in absolute awe. There was white stone embossed with gold with two pipes on either side of the temple which water poured from. It was beautiful. There was a beheaded statue in the middle of the stone ledge, it looked worse for wear, having been whittled away by time. At its base, on the floor, was an ancient chest. Inside were some gold coins, some flowers, and moss. I tucked the items into my bag and when I turned back I noticed there was a plaque with an inscription written on it. I got down on my knees and wiped the millennia’s worth of dust off the plaque. It took some time, but eventually, I was able to make out what it said. It read:

Who was E.W? I felt so out of place, yet, strangely at home at the same time. There was this strange energy emanating and absorbing into me, I felt a renewed sense of vigor igniting me from the center of my chest stretching outwards to all of my limbs. What was this place, and why do I feel like this? Flow was the downfall of humans, yet, if this is Earth, how did my descendants, if I had any, come across it? How was it discovered? Who discovered it, and why was it so deadly yet, so useful it added years to their lifespans.

I drew in a deep breath, I was becoming overwhelmed. Opening this temple just gave me more questions to find answers to. I launched myself up off my knees back to standing and walked over to the ledge.

“Whoa.” I said, again, to myself more than anything as I found a steep cliff drop into a raging river below. Loose dirt and debris slid off my shoe into the river below as I leaned over the edge to examine what was below. There was about a fifty-foot gap of rushing water between the cliff and the floor of the temple. “Yeah I ain’t getting over that anytime soon.” I mumbled as I glanced down at the raging river knowing it’d be a death sentence just trying to jump off. I didn’t have rope or anything either. The water looked menacing, deep, furious, and dark. Nope. Not happening today.

I turned on my heel and made my way back to the main chamber where the bowl of water I filled was to see both Jina and Hekla looking at the walls, studying the various designs of the embossing and beveling. Both turned to look at me upon hearing me enter the chamber.

“You actually did it! I heard the rumbling and came running. This place is amazing! It must've been some kind of temple! Can you actually read the carvings on the walls? This is ancient Human writing!”

“Actually, yes, it’s all in English. You guys are talking to me in English, aren’t you?”

“Oh no. Not at all.” Jina then put her hand on her chin. “Humans can understand Majirian and this ancient human language called…English? You guys are in fact bilingual and can’t distinguish any difference between Majirian and English. Wow, this is…actually, no. That makes perfect sense. You're a Human. Of course, you can read your own language but the fact that I’m talking to you in Majirian and you’re understanding me like it’s English…this is fascinating because I can’t read any of this.”

“You’re really not talking to me in English? Yet I’m talking to you in English aren’t I?”

“No, you are speaking to me in perfect Majirian. This is super fascinating. You can’t even tell the difference can you?”

“Um. No. This conversation is getting weird and it’s giving me a headache.” I said, feeling my head throb lightly.

“Okay, how about you scout ahead, Hekla and I will survey this room to see what we can learn…”

“Hekla what do you make about all of this? Are you okay? You haven’t said a peep.”

“We should not be here...especially not Jina.”

“What? Why?” I asked, a spark of anxiety coursing through me. Are we not supposed to be here? Was this a temple for the ancient humans for their dead?

“This... this is a sad place. I am prohibited from saying more at this time. I am sorry. Please do not ask me any more questions.” Hekla said as she turned away from me to tend to Jina. For the second time, I was denied more information and unable to ask any more questions. I was growing more frustrated so I thought it best to try to scout the large cavern that held the temple to see if I could find a way across, perching my derriere on top of the tallest stone outcrop. I closed my eyes and listened to the water rushing below to calm my thoughts.

“The humans killed it off.” I heard a voice echo through the massive cavern, cutting through the noise of the rushing water below. My eyes shot open and I looked around me.

“Jina? Hekla?” I called out. They weren’t in the cavern with me. It was just me. “Hello? Is anyone there?” After several moments of just rushing water. I was getting freaked out being here. Perhaps Hekla was right, we weren’t meant to be here.

I carefully made my way off the stone outcrop and walked back into the room with the waterfalls.

“Hey Jina, I found something up ahead,” I said, my eyes meeting Jina’s.

“What is it?” Jina asked curiosity striking the features of her face.

“A huge cliff and some big ruins…it looks just like the inside here.”

“Really? Well, I wouldn’t try navigating the cliff without the use of a glider, you can ask Najuma about obtaining one…”

“Oh yeah, I met her! She’s Hodari’s daughter, right?”

“Right! Yes.”

“I just need some planks, fabric, and leather. I have no idea how to get the last two…”

“Oh, Tish sells them in her shop. Or you could get a fabric loom and make them yourself. Again, you’ll need to talk to Tish.”

“I see. Okay, was that everything you needed from me? I need to get a glider made I guess.”

“Yes, Hekla and I will stay here and see if we find anything useful. Stay safe Corinth!”

“Yeah, you too.” I said, as I made my way out of the temple to find that it was once again, pitch dark and the only light to guide my way out was the torch sconces.

I thought the temple would’ve given me answers to why and how I ended up here. No, I was wrong. It only raised more questions about what happened to the human race I’m assuming well after my departure. How did I end up here? In this time? Humans weren’t this advanced in my time. I remember flyers to save the earth, and all that.

So. Many. Questions. I then thought about the sleeping potion Hodari had given me earlier in the day. A good long sleep was definitely needed, yet I didn’t feel tired, my time in the temple only seemed to amp me up. So I launched into a full-blown sprint and made my way back to my plot where my house should be finished being built right?

No, wrong again.

“Ugh…what is life right now? This is stupid. Why do I feel so hyper? Fuck.” I said as I decided to set my tent back up again and throw the bed I made earlier into it. “I’m getting sleep one way or another. I don’t care if it kills me.” I said as I grabbed one of the sleeping potions Hodari gave me. I pulled the cork off of it and took a sniff. It smelled like alcohol at first, but there was an herbal finish. I had smelled that smell before but from where? Why did I recognize it? I wracked my brain wondering where I smelled it before, but nothing came to me. I lifted the small vial to my lips. “Over the lips, and through the gums, watch out stomach, here it comes.”

I drank the entirety of the vial and pushed the cork back in. It tasted vile, and I had to stifle my gag reflex to get it down. It burned all the way down, like tasting straight pure alcohol. I raced out to the small pond outside my plot and quickly drank some water to get it down. As I made my way back to my tent, my vision started getting blurry, my eyelids began feeling heavy and my body started to feel like it was made out of lead.

I barely made it to bed before succumbing to sleep.

“Corinth! Honey, you’re on in 10.”

I turned around and flashed a smile at Yazmine, the coordinator.

“Thank you Yazzy! We’re just finishing up!”

“Okay.”

“So…how was Derrick? I heard you and him went out last Saturday…” I glanced over a the calendar. October 17th 2023.

“Ugh. Carrie, that date was a disaster.”

“I thought you and him might get along…”

“No. Honestly. I’m just thinking, maybe I’m not ready for anything serious.”

“You can’t stay a virgin forever.”

“I know, I just, I want it to be special,”

“Corinth, a lot of woman have already had hundreds of partners by your age—”

“I’m only 26!”

“My mom was 26 when she had me, she was only 13 when she lost hers, hell I was 15 when I lost mine. Sex feels good. Why are you depriving yourself…everyone wants a piece of you girl!”

“I just don’t feel it’s right Carrie. You know? Maybe I’m asexual…”

“You mean you don’t want to have sex or be in a sexual relationship?”

“Yeah, like, why can’t cuddling be enough. The thought of sex freaks me out.”

“Girl, you won’t ever know until you try it.”

“I know but I don’t find myself attracted to anyone. It’s weird. I don’t know how to explain it…like I’m not meant for anyone. Not here on Earth anyway. It weird. I know.”

There was another knock on the door. “Five minutes.”

“We hear you Yazmine. She’s almost done.” Carrie said, as she looked back at me. “Close your eyes, time for the setting spray.”

I closed my eyes as Carrie misted my face before fanning my face to dry it in place. “Girl, are you saying you’re some kind of alien or something?”

“Pfft, at this point, it wouldn’t surprise me.” I whispered.

“Okay kiddo, you can open your eyes now. Break a leg, oh and break some hearts while you’re at it too…”

“Always.”

I walked out of my dressing room and Yasmine was right there. “Beautiful as always Corinth. Everything should go as planned tonight, just do what you do best, and I’ll have a bottle of Dom Perignon waiting for you when you’re finished! Meet with the others, and I’ll yell for places when it’s time…”

“Thank you Yasmine you’re the best.”

The interlude music was playing and I met with my fellow dancers. I was fitted with a in-ear, and microphone. I did a few vocals warm-ups and stretched my limbs to keep them loose and limber for the choreography. It was my last performance for this season during my residency in Vegas, and I was so excited to be finished.

I called for the dancers to meet me. “On the count of three. 1…2…3…LET GO! Let’s rock this last performance and give them something to remember…”

I performed but my heart kept fluttering and skipping. As I hit the climax of the song I was singing, my voice and breath, just stopped, so did my heart. I was launched out of my body as I watched as my eyes rolled to the back of my head, and I collapsed lifeless on the stage floor with a sickening thud. The dancers rushed over to me, some immediately started mouth to mouth and CPR. The curtains were closed on the stage as people crowded around my dead body.

“Look at the bigger picture. This is what I didn’t want you to see.” The voice who had welcomed me into the world said. I was lifted, up, higher, and higher. I saw the world through Embra’s eyes. Earth was dying, slowly, painfully suffocating under the weight of the life Embra had put on it. “You lived during a time when Humans were parasites. Bleeding my Earth dry of its precious resources. Blissfully unaware of who I was, and how you came to be. You had religions like Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, you killed yourselves and others over your own manmade currency. You started wars with others because of the differences I gave you to make you unique. You caused each other to feel hunger and pestilence. I gave you the opportunity to be free, yet your kind chose not to be.”

“How did I end up here? I see how I died…”

“Died? You think I killed you? Your mere mortal body yes, but your spirit, that is what makes you unique. Every living creature has one.”

“Who are the majiri? Why am I here after all this time? Why did you choose me? What is flow and why does it exist here now?”

“You have a lot of questions, my sweet child. I know. All will be answered in due time. I think this is all you are able to handle right now. If you are wondering why you are unable to sleep. Consider this experience a warning. Come see me again when you think you can handle more.”

There was a crash of thunder that jolted me awake. I had tears flowing down my face, and my heart was racing something fierce. I was breathing fast and heavily. I drew in a deep breath and held it, as I drew my knees against me under my chin. It was raining heavily outside, and the wind was howling. It looked like it was daylight out from how lighter the sky looked yet; the sky was ominous. I glanced over at the four vials of sleeping potion Hodari had given me and shoved them into the nightstand drawer.

Yeah, I wouldn’t be drinking any of those for a long ass while.

Chapter Text

The plus side of sleeping in late was that my house was finished. The downside was it was raining heavily, and the ground was muddy and wet. The lightning and thunder had subsided. So, I figured it would be a good time to get my house moved into. I glanced out and saw the flag was up on the mailbox, so I quickly ran out and checked the mail before taking it inside, so I could get out of the rain.

I received a letter from Jel with a beautiful floral arrangement and vase enclosed congratulating me on my new house. I figured it was Auni who had seen my house completed when he deposited my mail and ran to tell everyone he came across. A smile graced my face as I went through the rest of the mail.

I would need sapwood, and a fabric loom today, but first, I would need to move some of the furniture I made into my newly built home. So, through the rain and the mud, I managed to outfit my home with a bed, a couple of nightstands, a wardrobe, a changing shield, a dining table as well and a couple of dining chairs. I left space for a stove and whatever kitchen appliances I would need. I was in the middle of getting Jel’s vase onto the dining room table when there was a knock at the door.

“Be there in a second,” I said, as I fluffed up some of the flowers. I then answered the door and standing there was Eshe and Kenli. “Eshe! Kenli! Um, good morning!” I said, surprised to see the mayor and his wife standing at my door in the rain. Eshe was fitted with a black cloak and Kenli was fitted with a green cloak.

“Well Corinth, it’s almost 3 in the afternoon but hey, who’s keeping track! What a house! Mind if we come in and get out of the rain?” Kenli asked,

“Ah, yes. Come in!” I said as I stepped aside to allow both Eshe and Kenli into my house.

“Hm. It will do I suppose, it’s a bit drab for my tastes, but you’re just starting out, so I will give you a pass.” Eshe snarked, as she shook off the rain from her cloak and promptly tested one of the dining chairs for sturdiness before sitting down upon it. Kenli did the same, which meant I either could sit on my bed, or stand, so I stood.

“What brings you two by my humble abode?” I asked as I grabbed some grilled oysters out of the storage bins I had inside my house. “Sorry, I would offer you something to drink but all I have is pond water.”

“Oh, no, no thank you, we ate before we left the house,” Eshe said as she turned up her nose to my grilled oysters, but Kenli snatched a few from the plate I held out for both of them. “I came by because now that you have set up a permanent residence here I want to see if you will stay, so I have devised a series of three tests before we go about getting you set up with a shepp.” Eshe said as she watched my hand as I set the plate of grilled oysters down on the dining table.

“Okay. Sounds good. What are these tests?”

“I’ll need you to prove your purpose, to us in the village. You’ll need to work on your skills since this village depends on work and dedication to a skill set to exist.”

“Okay, so like fishing, foraging, hunting, that stuff right?”

“Exactly. Next, you’ll need to prove your devotion. You’ll need to see Jina to find out your roots, Hassian to know about the Majiri way of life then finally Chayne, he can teach you the ways of Maji and Embra. ”

Embra. Chills ran down my spine at the mention of her name. Especially after my run-in with her last night. “Okay. I can do that, what’s after that?” I asked my eyes meeting Eshe’s.

“Lastly, you will need to prove your generosity. How willing are you to help people in the village and your fellow humans?”

“Well as much as I can.”

“Good, prove your worth, and come see me when you’re done,” Eshe said as she stood up. “Kenli, are you coming? We have other humans to see and not much time.” Eshe said as she made her way to the door.

“Yes dear!” Kenli said, as he too got out of his chair, the plate was already half eaten. “You don’t mind if I take this plate of grilled oysters with me, do you Corinth? These are absolutely delightful!”

“Uh, sure. Consider it a gift.” I said, giving the shorter man a smile and he returned a smile of his own.

“I think you’ll fit in nicely around here, Corinth. You’re already becoming accustomed to our gift-giving customs! Thank you for the oysters! See you around!” Kenli said, as he quickly followed Eshe out the door. I let out my breath and looked around my place. It was quaint, but I knew I could make money, add rooms to my place, and make it my own. Most importantly, it was mine.

I didn’t have to pay rent or a mortgage, I worked for myself. Whatever I wanted and needed I could easily obtain, eventually. Right now, though, hard work is in my future.

I made an inventory of everything I had in my storage chests and made a mental list of things I needed to go out and get, but before that, I was interrupted again by another knock on the door. I answered the door and there stood Jel and Tish.

My cheeks flushed at what happened when I was left alone with these two. “Um—uh hi you two!”

“Good afternoon Corinth! Mind if we come in?”

“Of course! Come in! Get out of the rain, can I get you two anything? I think I have some more oysters; do you like them raw, or cooked? I think there’s some grilled meat somewhere too…” I said, falling over myself to appease all these new guests suddenly appearing at my house.

“Oh no dear, don’t fret over us. We heard from Auni about your new house and Tish thought it would be a good idea to come by and see it. I see my vase made it to you safely. It looks great on your dining table.”

“Yes, it’s about the only fashionable thing in here…”

“I have more blueprints for you to unlock Corinth! Oh, my Dragon! I like the log cabin furniture, but you don’t seem like a log cabin girl.”

“It’s what I had to put together…luckily Eshe didn’t fall out of the chair, she made sure to test it before she sat down.”

“Oh my Dragon, yes, Eshe is weary about newly made human furniture. A few weeks ago, she was doing the rounds and welcoming all the new humans and she sat down on a bench. It broke and I heard it took her a week to get the splinters out…she always tests any chair now before she sits.” Tish said as she let out a laugh.

The story made me burst out in laughter as well. Jel too, had a smirk on his face at Tish’s story. He set a large box down on my dining table. “Anyway, we came by with some housewarming gifts. I have a vase of flowers for you, and Jel brought over some extra clothing for you. There’s also a cloak in there as well. To keep you dry while you’re out and about.” Tish said as she brought out a vase of flowers from under her cloak. I managed to find a spot on one of the windowsills to place the vase on.

“Thank you guys. I appreciate it.” I said, happy with the placement of the flowers. “Do you guys have other plots to visit?” I asked, turning to Tish and Jel. Jel had taken a seat in one of the dining chairs. Tish was unpacking the box Jel had brought over. There were four wine glasses and two bottles of wine, as well as some clothing wrapped in delicate tissue paper.

“Nope. I hope you are up for company. Here, let me open one of these—”

“Let me Tish,” Jel said as he pulled a corkscrew out of one of his pockets and started uncorking one of the bottles of wine.

“We wanted to come over and give you a proper housewarming. Reth should be on the way with the food.”

“Reth’s coming over?” I asked. I was taken aback by all the hospitality. “I’m not nearly prepared for a party…I only have two chairs.”

“It’s fine. We can make more. Take this cloak, I want to see how it looks on you, then we can go out and make a couple of chairs. Should take no time at all.”

“First let me give you some coins for the blueprints you have for me if you don’t mind. Maybe I can make some better stuff.”

“Totally.” I handed over some coins in exchange for some better furniture blueprints before Tish handed over the cloak. It was beautiful. It was a deep purple, made out of a blend of different fabrics to keep the water off me and give me great coverage. I stopped just above my knees. It had a hood. I knew it was going to be a favorite of mine. The inside was lined with soft cotton, and it felt wonderful against my skin.

“This feels high quality. Surely it took you some time to make this, Jel.” I said, looking at the tall, lanky majiri man. There was a smirk lining his lips, as he glanced at me before turning his attention to the glasses of wine he was pouring.

“It’s a labor of love. Like all of my work, love is sewn in every stitch. It looks absolutely splendid on you.” Jel said, and I felt my body heat up. Suddenly, the thought of Jel’s hands being over every inch of the fabric that made up this cloak that was now on my body sent shockwaves of arousal to my core. I bit my lip. Why did he have such an effect on me? “Hurry back though, you’ll have wine waiting for you.”

“Thank you for the cloak, I’ll pay you whatever you want for it. Tish, you ready?”

“Yeah, let’s put those new blueprints to good use!” Tish said as she pulled the hood up on her cloak. I did the same as we walked outside.

“This rain is relentless, isn’t it?” I said as we made our way over to the workbench I had on a far corner of my plot.

“It doesn’t rain often here in Kilima but when it does, it’s always heavy. Your cloak is so pretty and it’ll come in handy on days like this.”

“Thank you! I love it! It feels nice not being drenched.”

“Right! Did you want to build a new dining table and chairs or just chairs?”

“Let’s do a new dining set. I think I have enough wood.”

“Okay. Sounds good.”

We set out to make a new dining set from the Homestead set. Tish came in and guided me through when I got stuck or had questions. She was a great help and great company. “Before too long, you’ll be mastering the more advanced sets of furniture. You have a real knack for this Corinth.” Tish said as I put the last leg on the last dining chair.

“Aw thanks, I couldn’t have done this without you though Tish. You make really beautiful furniture.” I said, I could feel a magnetic pull between us, and my heart would flutter when she got close to me.

“Oh, it was nothing. I rather enjoyed helping you out!” We made eye contact briefly and the look in her eye was one of curiosity. I turned back to the chair in my hands as I worked the last screw into the leg, attaching it to the chair. “Oh my Dragon, your eyes are so pretty! You are so gorgeous Corinth.” I blushed as I tried to focus on finishing the chair her hand touched mine and I pulled my gaze away from the chair.

“The sentiment is mutual Tish. You are pretty gorgeous yourself…”

“You like me too?”

“Yes, but this chair isn’t going to finish itself.”

“I thought maybe Jel, and I scared you away…”

I cleared my throat recalling everything that happened in Jel’s shop. The air got twenty degrees warmer underneath my cloak. “I—I don’t scare off that easily Tish. Being here has opened my eyes to a lot of things, but no. I wasn’t scared.” I said as I finished screwing the leg to the chair. “There! Finished!” Her hand was still on mine but she removed it once I finished the chair.

“Wonderful! We should probably get these out of the rain and into the house.”

“Yeah, let me just—” I said as I grabbed two chairs to take in, but I had barely lifted them off the ground when a voice cut through the rain.

“Hey Fancy Pants! Nice place you got here! Moving up in the world, aren’t you? I like it!” Reth called out.

I knew who it was automatically. I dropped the chairs I was holding, and I was going to give him a hug, but I realized he wasn’t alone. “Nai’o?”

“Hey, Corinth! So, Auni was right, huh? You have built yourself a house! I was just helping Reth here carrying up the food. Do you need any help moving that?” Nai’o said, as nodded his head towards the dining set Tish and I had just built.

“Um, sure! If you want to set all that inside, you can help Tish and me out.”

“Ah, I want to help too Fancy Pants, I can’t let Nai’o here have all the fun,” Reth said as he carried two boxes stacked on top of each other. “Did you and my sister build that?”

“We sure did!” I said, and just then Nai’o set his three boxes on the new dining table.

“You are living up to your name with this one,” Reth said, as he winked at me before setting his boxes down on the table. Nai’o took one end and Reth was on the other as they lifted the table off the ground. Tish took two chairs, and I took the other two and we followed the two men into the house.

“Oh my.” Jel said as he quickly got up off the chair as he saw all of us come back inside. He quickly moved my old dining table into an empty corner. Reth and Nai’o set the new table where the old one used to be while Tish and I put the chairs all around it.

While I was outside with Tish, Jel had unpacked his box, there were new kitchen towels and bath towels. I grabbed one of the new kitchen towels and set out to wipe the new furniture down to get all the rain off it. Once I was finished with that, Jel promptly gave me a glass of wine and told me to sit down while they set up everything.

I could only take the glass of wine and do as I was told. I watched Reth, Tish, Jel, and Nai’o set up all the food and alcohol that was brought over. I sipped on the wine, thoroughly amused as Jel and Reth argued on the placement of food which Tish would interject with Reth telling her to not butt in. Nai’o was unfortunately caught in the middle of it all.

Upon a happy agreement among the four and a glass of wine later, it was finally time to eat. There was sushi, chapaa Akwindu stew, loaded potato soup (my personal favorite), and chapaa masala. Nai’o grabbed some sushi, and chapaa masala along with a beer to enjoy on the way back to the farm. He couldn’t stay. He remembered that he had forgotten to close the door to the barn and feared the ormuus were getting drenched, so he headed out.

I grabbed a plate of food which included a few pieces of sushi, and bit of Akwindu stew, chapaa masala, and of course, a bowl of loaded potato soup. Reth grabbed a bottle of Bahari Apple Rum and gave it to me as a present.

“I know how much you liked it last time.”

“It was good,” I said, looking at Reth as I grabbed the ceramic bottle from him before I pulled off the cork seal. “Anyone want some?”

“Yeah, let’s all take a shot and congratulate Corinth on her new house!”

“Good idea Reth!” Tish said as she started to get her cloak back on. “I’ll make some shot glasses.”

“No need!” Reth said as he grabbed a few ceramic shot glasses out of a box that the extra plates and silverware sat in. Reth took out enough for all four of us.

Reth grabbed the bottle of rum from me and poured shots. We each took a filled shot glass and touched glasses with a toast to my new house. The alcohol burned its way down my esophagus and warmed my belly leaving a lingering taste of crisp apple on my tongue. Memories of Hassian and the tavern were brought to my mind, and I wondered when I would see the mysterious broody man again.

“What cha’ thinking about?” Tish asked, she had been eyeing me since partaking in the shot.

“Oh, nothing much. Just about the last time I had this alcohol I was with Hassian and his mother…”

“I’m actually surprised Hassian let you in on his card game with Auni. He never does that.”

Tish’s ears perked up with interest. “Hassian let you actually play?”

I shrugged. “It was just a card game you guys…you guys are acting like it was a rite of passage.”

Tish swayed her hips as she reached for the bottle of rum before she started pouring everyone another shot. “You don’t know the majiri customs of dating do you Corinth? Or, who Hassian was involved with before you showed up. He’s pretty much blocked everyone out, after him and—”

“I think Corinth doesn’t need to know Hassian’s history Tish…” Reth interjected.

“Oh yeah, probably best to get to know him and if he wants to tell you, let him tell it. But I will say this, for him to let you play, yes, it was a rite of passage. I mean honestly, I think he likes you…”

I rolled my eyes. “So do you Tish, so does Jel, so does Reth, so does Tamala…I mean everyone I’ve come across seems infatuated to some extent by my mere existence.”

Tish was shocked. “Oh my, so you met Tamala?”

“Yeah, if Hodari wasn’t there, I would have been ravaged darling…” I finished mimicking Tamala from the day I met her which caused Jel and Reth to burst out laughing.

“Yep, that’s her all right, look Fancy Pants, I know I told Tish not to tell you, but since you met her, there’s been rumors they were romantically involved.”

“Her and Hassian? Wait though, I’m not actually surprised, Tamala seems like a cougar.”

“A cougar? What in Palia is that?”

“Well, when I was alive, in my time frame it was an older, usually middle-aged woman who pursued much younger men. Usually, because younger men had libidos that could match the older woman’s…”

“I’m curious. Please go into more detail, do human women’s libidos go up as they age?”

“I don’t know, I never got to see past the age of 26.”

“What?”

“Oh yeah, I never told you guys about the dream I had last night, did I? You guys might want to sit down for this one.”

Jel, Reth, and Tish seemed completely engrossed as I recounted the events of the dream. We consumed the rest of the wine and about half of the bottle of rum by the time anyone asked any questions.

“So, Embra took your soul out of your body while you were performing on stage?”

“Yeah, no idea why. I was also asexual. I didn’t feel any sort of attraction to any other humans. I was still a virgin when Embra took me I guess. In my time, the Earth was struggling, and Embra said we were bleeding the Earth dry of her resources.”

“Interesting. So, Embra knew something was coming and started taking souls before the calamity happened.” Jel said, finishing the last bit of his wine from his glass.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“If humans aren’t able to sleep, how did you manage to sleep?”

“Well Tamala gave Hodari an extra five sleeping potions, and I remember sleeping when I was alive, so I took one, and bam…vividly terrifying dreams where I’m talking to Embra herself.”

“You might need to talk to Jina about this dream Fancy Pants, she knows the most about your history…”

“I will Reth, I will,” I said, as I downed another shot of Bahari Apple Rum. I was feeling the alcohol at this point but it felt good.

Yeah, Yeah Yeah, Yeah Yeah Yeah… Usher’s “Yeah” started playing causing Helena and I to look at each other as we instantly recognized the song.

“Oh my God, I love this song, Corinth we gotta go dance girl…”

“Yeah!” I practically screamed over the loud music as I shoved my fifth Tequila shot down my throat before I was practically yanked away from the bar by Helena. A friend who was in my Performing Arts class in Santa Clara. We were in some sketchy bar on the outskirts of the city, but they played good music.

Her and I danced, laser lights illuminating us and the floor.

I was back in my harvest house, and I poured myself another shot, knowing I was going to need it for the headache that was coming. “Is there any music here? Like, do people listen to it, and entertain others with it? Like I did when I was alive?”

“Well, there’s record players, and records. Bahari boyz seem pretty popular, both Nai’o and Kenyatta like them. There are personal music players you can buy with songs on it and you have to buy more music to add to it. I keep mine on me for some music to play on…um my midnight walks. Here…” Reth said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his music player with wired earbuds. I couldn’t help but think it reminded me of something. It seemed very familiar. “…take a listen, but don’t judge me, please.”

I looked at Reth suspiciously as I took the music player and put the earbuds in my ears. I pressed play. Music filled my ears, but it seemed very rudimentary. Like it was playing through a video game from the 80s. I listened through a song before I pulled out the earbuds.

“I can make better music than that.”

“Oh God. You hated it, didn’t you?” Reth said as he wiped a hand over his flushed face.

“Hate’s a strong word Reth, I didn’t hate it. It just reminded me of the early video game music I heard about when I was a kid. You know what, here, I’ll prove it.”

I then started drumming a beat on the table. Which got Tish and Reth’s heads bopping, while Jel stared at me intently. I started singing about the rain outside. I didn’t know why, but the melody seemed familiar to me. Not the lyrics, I just couldn’t remember those wholly but somewhere before I hit the first chorus, I remembered the song. “Kosheen’s I Want It All”

“Rain keeps, pouring in,
I stand here watching it,
as you keep on giving it to her.
Sideline over me,
keep on, holding me,
every night you know where I sleep and it’s hurting me,
it’s hurting me…it’s hurting me,

When I want it all
For myself
I want him all
I want him for myself

I want it all!”

I sang the instrumental part with a series of hums and ahs.

“You tease me,
Telling me
It's over
Wait and see
Leave it, you’re lying
Then you tell me
You’re not happy
Come to me, for sympathy
Every night I know where you sleep
And it’s hurting me
It's hurting me!

When I want it all
For myself
I want him all
I want him for myself

I want it all!”

I belted. I didn’t know where any of this was coming from, but I went with it. Again I hummed the instrumental playing in my head.

By now Jel was bopping his head, both Tish and Reth were up dancing with each other.

“Fancy pants, keep going! Don’t stop. This is so good.”

So keep going I did. Jel leaned back in his chair, taking another shot of Bahari rum.

“Tide keeps rollin in
I stand watching…
As you keep on giving it to her…

Keep on Keeping on…

Time, isn’t holding us and isn’t after us.

And it’s hurting me! Cause I want it all!
For myself!
I want it all!
I want him for myself…
I want him all! Alllllll for myself!

I want it all
I want it all!
I want it all!

I want him for myself…”

“Fancy Pants! Oh, my Dragon! You sing so well! That was amazing!”

“Oh. my Dragon yes! I didn’t know you had that kind of voice! Your belts, your range, your emotion! You could totally be famous!”

“Well, I was an entertainer from what I remember. I don’t know where all that came from. My mind just started playing a song and I just went with it.” I said, curling my hands up in a dismissive motion. I hadn’t seen Jel pour another shot for me, but I looked down and my shot glass was full again, so I grabbed it and washed it down my throat. I felt my face heat up and I knew it was from the alcohol and the embarrassment I felt.

“Do you know that song you sang? Was it something you had heard before? It seems to be the laments of a lover who feels betrayed by the one they love sleeping with someone else. Were humans a monogamous race?” Jel asked, raising an eyebrow at me

“Yeah, that was Kosheen’s I want it all. I know I’ve heard it before…and to answer your question Jel, a lot of humans believed in monogamy. Polyamory wasn’t something widely practiced. I was never in a relationship and had no intentions of being intimate with anyone from what I remember.”

“But in my shop—” Jel was cut off by an inebriated Reth.

“Fancy pants that was an ancient human song you sang and graced our ears with? Oh, my Dragon! Look, I have a guy I know in Bahari City who might be interested in you. He’s been trying to recover music from ancient human times and bring it to the majiri mainstream music market. If you just sang that, I wonder what else you know…cause if that’s what music in your time sounded like? I want more of that! I wonder if Ashura would let you sing at the Inn. I’ll ask him I think…you’d like that wouldn’t you Fancy Pants?”

“—Reth, I—” Jel tried to interject but Tish was the one to interrupt him this time.

“Ooh me too! Oh, my Dragon, that was amazing! I would stop by the Inn every night if you sang there! I want to hear more of your voice Corinth, it’s soooo pretty…” Tish chimed in. I looked at Jel apologetically and he nodded knowing we would have to continue this conversation some other time.

“I agree with their sentiment Corinth. You’d be wasting your talent otherwise. You are musically inclined, and Ashura would be a fool not to jump at the opportunity to have you perform at his Inn. I think he would be rather pleased.” Finally, Jel said, but I knew he had questions.

“Guys I’m flattered, I really am, but I think we’ve all had too much to drink tonight. I appreciate you guys coming out to see me and the impromptu housewarming party. I enjoyed myself.”

“Oh yes, anytime! We need to do this more often! This was totally fun, and I learned so much more about you! I’m a fan of you, Corinth! I wanna pin you so badly.” Tish said, as she tried to get up out of her chair and launch herself on me but stumbled and promptly fell on top of me in my chair. I caught the majiri woman. I too felt the alcohol, but she was smaller than me, so she probably felt it more than anyone in this room. Her arms wrapped around me tightly, and our eyes met as she sat, draped on my lap. I let out a laugh. “Oh, my Dragon, you’re just so fucking hot!” Tish then let out a belch before giggling and hiccupping.

I let out another laugh. “Tish, honey, you’re drunk. What did you say about pins?” I asked as I got up to stand her upright. She then turned to Reth who looked kind of shocked at Tish’s declaration. Jel too, was seemingly shocked.

Reth came up behind Tish and placed hands on her shoulders to steady her as Tish let go of me. “Tish is talking crazy. Uh, okay so a quick rundown about what Tish just said, we majiri give each other pins with our pictures, and an item each person likes as a way to show people we want a relationship of the sexual kind. You know, like we show sexual interest in the other person and we wanna seal the deal. That type of thing.” Reth said quickly. “I take it you’ve never heard anything about giving pins…”

“Um, Kenyatta said something about it. I thought they were like what we call promise rings in my culture.”

“Reth, I think I’m drunk.” Tish said, as she launched into a fit of giggles and began spinning around. “The room is spinning!”

“Whoa Tish, sis, you okay? I’ll walk you back home. Fancy Pants, tonight was fun. We need more of these in the future. I’ll talk to Ashura tomorrow. You’ll get mail from me regardless; I owe you more recipes. Come see me when you have time Fancy Pants,” Reth said as he winked, as he steadied his sister by interlocking their arms together as they began making their way out of my house.

Jel sighed. “That was interesting. I apologize on Tish’s behalf; I think this is the most drunk I’ve seen her. I too, overindulged in the drink tonight. I will take my leave and make sure Reth and Tish return safely. Goodnight Corinth.” Jel said, and I watched them all leave my house. I looked back at all the food and drink still sitting on my table and began trying to get it all put away.

It was a long night of sobering up, hydrating, and going through my inventory and figuring out what I needed, since I knew I was not ready for another dose of reality that came with a full night’s sleep.

I figured I would go out and try and get more sapwood since I used a lot of my stock for building my house. It was still raining by sunrise, so I put on my cloak and headed out with my axe in hand. My feet stomped through the puddles of rain and mud on the path. I chopped down trees for a good chunk of time, staying outside of the village. I was working on getting my 20th tree down.

“I see you’re taking to village life well.” A deep voice interrupted. I instantly recognized it.

“Hassian! Good Morning! Yes. I guess I am.” I said, as I didn’t bother looking at him, as I got the last swing in. “TIMBER!” I yelled out, as the tree fell away from Hassian and me to the ground. I then worked on getting the trunk broken down into smaller chunks. “How are you?”

“I am doing well, the rain is making hunting an easy feat for me. Have you had a chance to use the bow and arrows town hall gave to you?” Hassian asked, I stopped what I was doing and put my axe back in its hoop on my bag.

“No, not yet. Mind giving me a hand with this?” I asked my eyes meeting Hassian’s green eyes. He nodded as he helped me pick up some of the logs and placed them into my bag. “I haven’t had a chance yet, Eshe gave me a test to complete, and I’m trying to replenish my stock of wood. Eshe said you have part of the test I needed to complete.”

“Well, good thing I caught you then,” Hassian said, as he let out a chortle of amusement. He reached into his pocket and grabbed something out. “My portion of the test is that you need to replace what’s been lost. You see these trees you cut down? Take these seeds and replant them.”

“Here? That seems easy enough.”

“No. Not here. On your own plot.”

“Okay,” I said, as I put the seeds into my backpack. “That’s it?”

“Yes, see, I watch everything that goes on here. You need to replenish what you take down as a way of giving back to the planet that has given so freely to you.”

I nodded. “I totally get that, and I will make sure to do that.”

“Good, I’m glad that we agree, but I catch you mistreating—”

“Hassian, you don’t have to worry about me. I don’t like taking and not giving in return. I get that humans caused their own downfall by bleeding the Ea—the planet of its resources. I may not know how exactly that happened, but I will not repeat the same mistakes my predecessors did.” I said, bowing my head to the man who seemed speechless for a moment. He studied me seemingly having his own thoughts going.

“Okay. So can I ask why you haven’t used the bow and arrows I was told to provide for you? All the other humans have been using them with almost reckless abandon.”

I let out a laugh as I had so many run-ins with other humans mistaking me for deer, luckily none of their arrows had landed on me or their sernuks. “Honestly, killing animals just doesn’t appeal to me.”

Hassian seemed shocked to hear that. “What do you mean? Do you not eat meat? Are you a vegan like Chayne?”

“Oh, I’m not a vegan. I eat meat, I have eaten meat since I arrived here. Just killing and having to process, it doesn’t appeal to me.”

“Oh, are you squeamish?”

“No, I mean, maybe, but I’ve never killed anything, and I don’t want to kill anything.”

“I want to show you how to use your bow if you don’t mind. I’ll teach you how to process the animals you kill…”

“Hassian, I’ve never been keen on killing animals. I don’t like it. I always thought it was, well, unnecessary.” I said, my eyes meeting his. He seemed flabbergasted.

“It is necessary though. You eat meat, therefore, killing animals is necessary to keep eating meat. You can’t rely on Reth and his loaded potato soup forever.”

“For your information, I actually like his loaded potato soup, and I will happily pay him everything I have in gold to keep eating his food. I can get my meat from the oysters I get from the Bay. Reth made me chapaa akwindu for my housewarming party yesterday and it was delicious. If that means I don’t have to touch a dead animal, I’m all for it!”

“Oysters are seafood, you’re so easy to dispatch that and that’s an animal…”

“Oysters are mollusks, they can hardly be counted as an animal. They don’t even have spines so—”

“Okay, Jina.” Hassian bitterly said, through a clenched jaw. He was showing some serious restraint trying to get his point across. “Also, I provide the Inn with all of its meat. You’re going to have to learn how to hunt eventually Corinth. Do you actually remember how you got your meat back before you came here?”

“Yeah I’d go to the grocery store, and it would already be processed, and wrapped in plastic.”

“How many hands did that meat have to go through before ending up in this…grocery store you speak of?”

“Oh, I don’t even know. We raised cows, chickens, and other various animals, they would be processed by a processing plant, and sent to the grocery stores where they were cut into smaller parts and sold…”

Hassian looked absolutely disgusted. “So, what, like tens of human hands touched that meat before you actually got to it?” Hassian asked as he shook his head. “They do that in Bahari City and other larger cities, and I guess I know why sickness is so rampant there now.” He let out a huff of air. “I just…it’s just best to kill and prepare the meat yourself. There’s a sense of accomplishment in that.”

“I don’t want to come off as rude, but I don’t want to kill living beings.”

“Oysters are living beings, yet you dispatch them so easily. Reth told me he showed you how to shuck them. This isn’t the world you were brought up in, it’s the one I was. You don’t have a choice in this.” Hassian said, there was delight in his stare, delight, and determination.

“You’re not going to let this go, are you? Where is your cloak? Are you not cold?”

“No. I’m not scared of the rain or cold like you are. I will meet you at dawn tomorrow. I’ll be glad to show you what you’ve been missing.”

“Hassian, don’t be like this…surely we can come to a compromise…”

“I’ll see you tomorrow Corinth. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be there.”

I let out a huff of air, knowing Hassian wasn’t taking no for an answer. “Fine, where do I meet you at dawn?”

Hassian almost seemed to smile. “I have a grove in Bahari Bay, take out your map, and I will point it out to you.”

“I’m not happy about this, just so we’re clear,” I said, as I took my map of Bahari Bay out of my bag and turned my back to him to open it up. I heard Hassian approach and his body heat against me. I could’ve sworn I could hear him breathe me in, as he reached out and touched a spot on the map. I did remember Hodari briefly mentioning Hassian’s grove. The spot was the same as it was in my memory.

“There. Meet me there at dawn tomorrow. Don’t be late.” Hassian said gruffly. I acknowledged him with a nod before I folded my map back up.

“See you tomorrow.” I said, as I shoved the map into my backpack and waved at him. Hassian crossed his arms over his chest and nodded as he watched me run off. I could feel his eyes follow me until I rounded the corner headed towards my plot.

Chapter Text

I was back in front of my house in no time. I still had plenty of food from the night before, so I ate to bring my focus back up. The fabric loom was one of the recipes I had bought off Tish the night before so I went to work building that but knew Hassian was right, in order to get leather for the glider, I would need to hunt. There just was no way around it.

I promptly planted the seeds Hassian gave me, and they grew immediately into medium-sized trees. I was kind of shocked. What kind of seeds did Hassian give me? These things were on steroids.

I decided to go to Mirror Pond next and talk to Jina about my dream. By then the rain had stopped and the clouds were beginning to clear from the sky and the sun was out causing the humidity in the air to increase tenfold.

“Oh, my Dragon, Embra actually showed you how she took you? Then showed you the planet and how it was struggling…this is amazing1”

“I mean I guess so, I’m kind of scared of sleeping now because of it.”

“So is it true, that humans can’t sleep?”

“I hadn’t slept for three full days before I took that sleeping potion Hodari gave me.”

“You said Tamala gave him five extra, correct?”

“Yeah, so I have four extra in the drawer of my nightstand. I really don’t want to drink another. If that’s what you’re thinking about making me do—”

“Oh no. I wouldn’t make you do that. I care about your well-being too.” Jina said as we walked around Mirror Pond. It was like our fourth time around the pond, but it was beautiful. Jina had been engrossed in a book while I told her about my dream until she felt the need to get up and move around and we had been just waiting around the pond. “It is curious, however, how Embra made sure humans couldn’t sleep when you reemerged. I guess I have my answer now as to why that is.”

“So, I don’t know if you knew, but I built a—”

“A house! Yes. Congratulations on that. I’m sure Eshe has given her test to you and asked you to talk to me. Of course! Really, I just need you to check out one ruin in Bahari, also, if you can bring this book to Najuma for me, that would be great! I’ve been meaning to return this to her.”

“Oh sure! Where do I need to look for this ruin?”

“Oh it’s in Pulsewater Plains, should be on the top of a plateau across from Hodari’s house.”

“Okay, sounds good. I’ll head there now, would you be willing to talk when I get back, I have some other questions that might need answering.”

“I’ll be here until around 5 pm, then you can find me at the library. I wish you safe travels!” Jina said as she waved to me. I nodded and waved back as I took off towards my plot. I then picked up some copper and stone before taking back off out of my plot and headed straight for Bahari Bay.

I figured, while in Bahari, I would visit Hodari and Najuma. Najuma was sleeping so I set the copper she asked for on the table in the kitchen as well as the book Jina asked me to drop off before going over to the workshop where I knew Hodari was probably tinkering on something.

“Corinth! Hey! What brings you by here?” Hodari asked as he set down the screwdriver he was previously holding.

“I figured I’d stop by while I was on an errand run and drop this off to you,” I said as I pulled out some stone and set it down on an empty spot on his workbench. He raised an eyebrow as he grabbed the stone.

“I’m not putting you out for this, am I?” Hodari asked, as he turned around and put it on top of a pile of stone sitting in his workshop. I shook my head.

“No at all, that smelter recipe you gave me, came in handy…”

“I heard. Auni was telling everybody ‘bout that house of yours. I sent my housewarming gift in the mail already. You should get it later.” Hodari said, as he picked up the screwdriver again and began working on the mining contraption. “You look good though, did ya take that sleeping potion I gave ya?”

“Yeah, you failed to mention the crazy dreams. It’ll be a long while before I take another. I literally saw how I died in my previous life and talked to Embra.”

Hodari dropped his screwdriver on the ground in shock he cursed under his breath before trying to grab the screwdriver but as he got up, he hit his head on the workbench. He dropped the screwdriver again to clutch his head. “Damn it!”

I rushed over “Are you okay?” I asked as I bent down to retrieve the screwdriver. I handed the screwdriver to Hodari, our hands touched again. Our eyes met, and Hodari let out a grunt as he snatched the screwdriver from me and went to try to fix his contraption.

“You gotta stop doing that!”

“Stop doing what?” I asked, looking at him.

“Making me drop shit and stumblin’ all over the damn place. I git ta feeling like a teenager again when I’m near ya girl.”

I was flummoxed. “Uh…I…I don’t know if I should thank you, or take that as an insult?”

“It’s not an insult…look, have you talked to Jina or Chayne about this dream of yours? They’d be the most well-suited to handle something like that.”

“Yeah I’ve already talked to Jina about it, I’m actually here to find a statue for her.”

“Oh, that’s up there. There’s a path to it behind the workshop here. Might take some climbin' though.”

“I can handle a little bit of climbing, and I still gotta talk to Chayne about it too. I’ll do that when I get the chance.”

“Good. Make sure you do that; I don’t dream. I jus' take the potion and I’m out like a light.”

“Okay, good to know. Are you okay? Did you need anything while I’m out and about?”

“Nah, I’ll be fine. Be safe will ya?”

“Always.” I said as I waved goodbye to the man. “See ya around.”

“Yeah see ya around.”

I continued up the path Hodari told me about and found the path to the bridge that would take me to the statue. The statue was a shrine dedicated to the fallen human race. By the wear on the statue, it was built thousands of years ago. I paid my respects and decided to go back to Mirror Pond and report back to Jina my findings.

When I did get back, the sun was low in the sky. The mountains threatened to swallow it. Jina was standing with Hekla in front of the broken vase. She looked up and saw me approach.

“Corinth! I see you made it back safely! I found the script I’m supposed to read to you. Honestly, I was a little surprised when I was asked to do this. I had my ceremony in Bahari City, after all. But I'll do my best!” Jina cleared her throat and continued this time with a piece of parchment in front of her. “So, you might have noticed the ruins in Kilima. In fact, they spread across all of Palia. All of us grow up in the shadow of the past, or so they say. We believe there's a lot we can learn from their mistakes. Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it, after all. Especially when it comes to Flow. We've outlawed its use in Palian society, and those ruins are why. If you travel east to Bahari Bay, you'll find a memorial site. I could tell you what to think, but I'd rather hear your conclusions after visiting.”

I let out a laugh after hearing Jina long-winded dialogue. “Jina you’re doing a great job if I say so myself.”

“Oh, thank you! That’s really sweet of you to say, but I think I could have done better. I can always do better.”

“So, what’s flow? I keep hearing people talk about it, but I’m not sure what it is.” I asked, making sure to make eye contact with Jina and I could see her blush. Her ears turned red. Her eyes left mine.

“Well, uhm. It's energy, I guess, in the simplest terms. Dangerous, volatile energy. It's what powered ancient Human civilizations. These days, you'll only run into it in ruins, or in natural wellsprings.” Jina said, matter-of-factly.

“I see. Well obviously it caused the downfall of my race so totally understand the need to stay away from it if I can. Clearly I just back from the ruins, so is there something else that needs to happen now?”

“What did you think?”

“Well, I’d be damned if I make the same mistake my predecessors did. Even if I grew up in a time before flow became a thing. Honestly, I’m not surprised we caused our own downfall. We were reckless, greedy, and selfish. Even in the time I grew up, we had billionaires who wanted everything for themselves. We ravaged the earth, Jina. This is our second chance on this planet, and I’ll be damned if I let things happen the way they did again.”

Jina seemed impressed and then shook her head. “I wonder if that's what the original Humans thought too. No one ever thinks they're about to cause the apocalypse, after all. I remind myself that every time I go into a new ruin. I don't think the ancient Humans were greedy, or ignorant. I think they just made a mistake. One we could all make. That's why the Order's outlawed the study and use of Flow, except in very controlled environments.”

“The Order? Who are they?”

“Well, the official name is the United Order of the Palian Republic, but it's a bit of a mouthful, so everyone just calls it the Order. It's their job to regulate the use of Flow in Palia. And, well, if you break their rules, it's also their job to investigate and enforce punishment.”

“Punishment? Like what exactly?”

“Usually they confiscate the flow contraband and shut down any illegal cartel business, but they’re also not above killing cartel leaders if they need to.”

“Cartel?”

Jina rubbed her hand on the back of her neck. “You’ll learn in due time about the cartel. They’re alive and well. Mostly made up of Grimalkins.”

“Grimalkins like Zeki? It sounds like the order is a necessary evil then.”

“Oh, of course! After all, if no one was making the rules, we might end up just like the ancient Humans! Er, not that I think you would…any of us could fall into that temptation. It's probably better if someone keeps us from making that mistake.” Jina got up and nearly stumbled. I reached out and grabbed her arm to steady her.

“Whoa, careful, did your legs fall asleep?”

“Yeah, thank you. In any case, I think you've more than met the expectations for learning about the past. I'll be sure to let Eshe know!” Jina said, and I let go of her arm, seeing that Jina had her balance back. “Did you have any other questions for me? I was going to go get cream from the Daiya farm. If you wanted to stay for dinner, Hekla was going to make some cream of mushroom soup, it’s one of my favorites.”

“Yeah actually, I wanted to know what the Majiri customs were for dating?” I asked, and Jina turned a deep shade of purple again.

“D-dating? Oh, I don’t know why you’re asking me. I haven’t dated anyone.” Jina said, as she grabbed at her elbows and rubbed her arms. “I mean—it’s not like the thought hasn’t crossed my mind. I just—don’t know how to approach anyone.”

“Well Tish mentioned something about pinning me last night, and Reth explained that two people usually give pins to each other before engaging in a sexual relationship?”

“Reth was correct. We usually craft a pin made of two items melded into the pin, one for the person giving the pin, and one for receiving the pin. It usually has to do with their given skill sets. Tish really said that? How dare she! You haven’t even been here a week and people are already suggesting putting a pin on you! I really can’t with some of the Majiri here.”

“Oh Jina, that’s not the only thing that’s happened since I’ve arrived…” I then went into the story of what happened in Jel’s shop. Jina was beside herself.

“Well, didn’t you say that in your dream, you were an asexual, you didn’t fancy anyone while you were alive? And you found yourself, you know, worked up when Jel did that to you…have you found a similar attraction to any of the fellow Humans that you’ve come across?”

“Not really, no.”

“Hm. This is interesting.”

“Jina, the sun is setting and you have not eaten anything at all yet, we should probably go soon to get the cream for the soup tonight.”

“Yes, Hekla I know. Can you please go ahead without me? I need to speak with Corinth alone.”

“She has taken up 8 hours and 47 minutes of your time today already. I would like to make something to sustain your bodily needs.”

“Hekla, I will be fine. Please go ahead, I will meet you at the Daiya farm. I need to grab my coin purse from inside the library anyway.”

“I honestly think she is distracting you from your studies.”

“And I honestly don’t care. She’s helping with my research. Are you going to go?”

“I will wait for you here while you grab your coin purse…”

“Hekla, she’ll be fine with me. Please, Jina deserves privacy too,” I said, as I tried to reason with the gauldar.

“I know nothing about this privacy you speak of Human, my sole purpose…”

“Hekla. Go. Please. Now. That is an order.” Jina said, her voice low, full of anger that she was desperately trying to keep in. “I will catch up, I promise.”

“I will see you when you catch up then,” Hekla said, as she went ahead and began the walk down the path. Jina let out a huge breath from her lips before shaking her head.

“You’re right Corinth, she doesn’t know the meaning of privacy and it honestly irks me to no end. Can you wait here a second while I run inside and grab my coin purse?”

“Sure,” I said, raising my eyebrow at the woman as I watched her walk inside. Jina was cute and had these curvy hips I wanted to bury my head in. I bit my lip, feeling a surge of arousal rush to my core. What the fuck was wrong with me? Jina came back out, a moment later and looked down the path.

“Is she gone?” Jina asked as she exited the library. I looked down the path as well and saw Hekla wasn’t there anymore.

“Yeah, she dis—” I felt hands grab the front of my jacket as I felt myself being pushed back against the pillar. “—appeared. Um…Jina?” Her eyes met mine.

“Shush. I’m conducting my own research now. How do you feel?” Jina asked as she pressed her body against mine and I felt my body become white hot. My nipples hardened, and I felt rushes of arousal run down to my womanhood. My heart was beating double time in my chest.

“Hot. What are you doing?” I breathed; this totally caught me by surprise. I didn’t have the heart to push Jina away, as I wondered what was going to happen next.

“Just indulge in my research, okay?” Jina said, as she leaned forward and gently touched her lips to mine.

It was absolutely electric. I closed my eyes and just absorbed everything I was feeling at the moment. I put my hands on either side of Jina’s face and moaned. She pulled away but quickly pulled me back in by placing her hand on the back of my head. This time I opened my mouth a little, and she immediately explored my lips with her tongue. I did the same, and we each deepened the kiss even further. We were full-on making out for a few moments, we didn’t care who was around, but we were in heaven, and eventually, we had to come back down to Earth. My head was spinning as Jina let go of my shirt and pulled away from me.

“How do you feel?”

“So incredibly turned on. What was that for?”

“Oh, research mostly, and because when you were talking about Tish and Jel I got low-key jealous, then that bit you said about not wanting to repeat your mistakes…I just wanted to kiss you right then, but Hekla is always around. You’re amazing Corinth. I know you’re going to go places. I want more though, so much more. I like you a lot. That kiss was very nice.”

“Well, that was a first for me, and I enjoyed it, but you should catch up with Hekla. Did you still want me around for supper?”

“Oh! Oh yes. Also, please don’t tell Hekla I kissed you. She wouldn’t understand it.”

“My lips are sealed beautiful.”

Jina blushed, as she walked away but didn’t acknowledge my compliment as she rushed down the path where Hekla had left down some time ago. My eyes fell on her voluptuous ass and her shapely thighs, and I bit my lip before my fingers touched my lips and kept replaying the kiss in my mind. My heart was still racing from earlier.

I took out my fishing pole and figured I would fish in the meantime. I needed to think of something other than the kiss. Fishing seemed to fit the bill. I managed to catch a fairy carp, a handful of mirror carp, a handful of catfish, and quite a few orange bluegills before I ran out of bait. I made a mental note to talk to Einar about buying more worms.

When Jina and Hekla came back, Hekla went into her tent and began making dinner. While Hekla was busy, Jina and I snuck kisses and talked about the weather as of late while she watched me fish. Eventually, Hekla said the food was done. Jina and I ate the cream of mushroom soup by the pond. I had eaten a good portion of the bowl, knowing I had had it before, but from where?

“Oh Corinth, I’m sorry you don’t feel good, I called you out of school already, here, I made your favorite, Cream of Mushroom soup. Be careful the bowl is hot.”

“Thank you, Mommy.” I said, shivering with a fever, but somehow comforted by my mother’s soup.

“Oh my God, my mom used to make this for me when I was sick.” I said as I looked down at the bowl.

“Did you just have a flashback?”

“Yeah, did you notice?”

“Yeah, your expression went blank, and you stopped eating your soup. I thought something was wrong?”

“No,” I said, as I handed the now empty bowl to Jina who stacked it on top of hers. “But it is getting late, and I still have places to go tonight. It was amazing spending the day with you though. I’ll come by soon.” I said, getting up and wiping the seat of my pants off.

“Yes, Hekla and I still need to get to the library before Caleri retires for the night as well. Please don’t be a stranger, see you around Corinth!”

“I won’t,” I said, as I took off back to Kilima I figured that I would pop into Jel’s shop since I knew Tish, and Reth stopped by the man’s shop after they were done with work. First, however, I needed to check my mail.

I received some much-needed ore from Hodari, a letter from Ashura that seemed that he was worried about Reth, another from Hassian reminding me to meet him at dawn, a letter from Tish complimenting my house and had some extra wallpaper and flooring lying around, and gifted them to me. As if that woman hadn’t given me enough already.

Change of plans, I’m visiting Ashura first, then I’ll visit Jel.

I raced over to the Inn where I knew Ashura was on the night shift.

“Corinth! Just the woman I wanted to see! I take it you got my letter?”

“I did, is everything okay?”

“Look, I don't mean to bother you, but…have you seen Reth around anywhere?”

“He came to my housewarming party yesterday, but after that, no. I’ve been with Jina for the majority of the day today. Eshe gave me a set of tests to complete so—”

“Oh yes, I have faith that you will complete those tests. He didn’t show up today. I know you and him are getting close.”

“Well, he did have quite a bit to drink at the party last night. He took Tish home last night too.”

“I know it's been rough for him, taking care of his sister like that.”

“What do mean by that?” I asked, looking up at the man.

“Reth's a good lad. Always looking out for his sister, even when...ah, that's none of my business. Why don't you ask Reth about it? And tell him I'm looking for him while you're at it. Got a list of chores a mile long for him.”

“Sure, I’m about to stop into Jel’s shop anyway, I’ll see if he’s there.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it Corinth.”

“You’re welcome!” I said as I waved at Ashura and left the Inn and headed straight to Jel’s shop. I looked at Tish and Jel curiously, Reth wasn’t there.

“Hey, has Reth been in at all tonight?”

“No, I figured he was with you. He said something about stopping by your housing plot tonight.” Tish said, looking at me.

“Huh, that’s curious, he told me he was going to Bahari Bay to get more dari clove?” Jel said, before tilting his head towards me. “But no. We haven’t seen him since we dropped Tish off last night.”

“Something’s not adding up here. I haven’t seen Reth since last night and Ashura said he didn’t come by the Inn at all today. Why would be stopping by my place anyway?”

“He didn’t say why, but it’s clear he’s lying to all of us,” Tish said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yeah, well, I might have to have a harsh talk with him if and when I see him again. Hopefully he’ll be at the Inn tomorrow. Ashura’s looking for him. Also, Tish I wanted to thank you for the wallpaper and flooring, it means a lot.”

“You’re welcome. Also, I wanted to apologize for saying anything uncouth last night.”

“Hey, it happens, we all say shit we don’t mean when we’re drunk,” I said, looking at her, and she blushed deeply.

“I mean, I meant everything I said last night though. I just didn’t mean for it to spill from my mouth in that way.”

I raised an eyebrow at Tish. “Is that so?”

“Tish,” Jel warned. Looking up through his rose-tinted lenses with a stern expression.

“Right. Just talk to me later.”

“All right. Everything okay Jel?”

“I’m trying to concentrate. Also, I’m worried about Reth, Zeki might know where he’s at…Reth helps cook in the underground for a few hours every night.”

“Wait, he does?” Tish asked, looking at Jel.

“Yeah, that’s what the humans have said.”

“That makes sense, he was down there the one time I visited. I’ll see if Zeki knows anything. Thanks for the lead Jel.”

“You’re welcome. Come back in the morning if you have any news. I would dread if anything untoward happened to you.”

“I’ll be okay. See you guys tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Corinth.” Jel said, remaining pretty stoic.

“Yes, goodnight!” Tish said as she waved at me. I waved back and made my way to the sewer entrance of the underground. Sure enough, Reth wasn’t there. I made my way to where Zeki was posted.

“Zeki! How are you doing?”

“Business is booming…Corinth? Right?”

“That’s me.”

“You’re making a name for yourself girl; how can I help you? See anything you like?”

“Well, you can start by telling me where Reth might be, I know he works for you in some capacity. He bailed on Ashura today, and I need to track him down.”

“Oh, he’s…uh running an errand for me in Bahari Bay…” His ears lowered a bit. “Why?”

“Look Zeki, I care about Reth, and so does Ashura, both you and I know Ashura has stuck his neck out quite a bit for me already. Here’s my map, where can I find Reth?”

“I sent him here,” Zeki said marking a spot not too far from the flooded steps in Bahari Bay. “He should’ve been back by now honestly. So good thing you came by.”

“Zeki, I like you, thank you for telling me, but I swear, if Reth gets hurt, I’ll skin you and make the most luscious fur coat with that hide of yours…”

“Corinth! Let’s be sensible here. You don’t want that, and I certainly don’t want that either. By chance, you don’t happen to know how to use that bow on your back do you?”

“No, but I can learn quickly.”

“Eesh, okay. Don’t let Reth know I sent ya.” Zeki said as I walked away from the Grimalkin.

I raced out of the sewer entrance to the underground and set off to find Reth. I didn’t know what kind of business Reth was dealing with, but I had a bad feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. I quickly took out my bow once I was out of the village and set myself some targets using a few logs from my bag. Once I got a good grasp of where my arrows were hitting, I’d have a better chance to help Reth if he was in trouble.

Hodari’s words about Reth being involved with nefarious dealings, Jina’s words about the grimalkin cartel, and having a strong inkling Zeki was involved with said cartel, didn’t sit right with me. I was bound and determined to help Reth out in any way I could.

I shot the arrows from my makeshift bow I had until they started landing on their intended targets. I found all the arrows that had missed the targets and left the ones inside the logs that landed. I was as prepared for a fight as I could be as I left the gate toward Bahari Bay.

I quickly ran toward the spot Zeki pointed out on my map, and sure enough Reth was there, being beaten to a pulp by a gang of grimalkin and Majiri alike. I stepped quietly so I wouldn’t raise suspicion as I hid in a bush not far from where the gang was. I got my bow out and took aim at a grimalkin’s foot and loosed the arrow. Right into the grimalkin’s Achilles tendon it pierced. I hadn’t intended to actually hurt anyone, I wanted to try to scare them off. Damn it!

“Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!” The grimalkin screeched out into the night, their scream echoing off the ruins surrounding the flooded steps before they collapsed to the ground. “I’ve been shot!”

This seemed to spook the others in the gang. “It’s an ambush, let’s get out of here.”

“I can’t walk!”

“You buffoon! Zahere, help me out.” One of the Majiri ordered a Grimalkin and they managed to hobble their friend away from Reth. Once they were out of sight, and I was convinced they weren't going to be coming back I got out of my hiding spot and rushed over to Reth.

He lay on the ground unconscious, I put my ear to his mouth and could feel hot air hit my cheek. He was still breathing, I checked around his carotid artery that ran up the side of his neck and his pulse was fast, no doubt from the adrenaline. He was badly beaten though, and his clothes were in disrepair, but overall, he was okay. I checked his hands and arms; he had a couple of broken fingers that would need to be set back into place. I felt around his chest. Everything felt fine there, probably just bruised ribs. I didn’t bother checking any further. Reth was okay, bloodied, and bruised, but he wasn’t dead. If I had taken any more time, well I didn’t want to think about that at the moment. I grabbed an arm and lugged his unconscious body onto my back. I realized it was super late, and not that many people lived in Bahari Bay.

Tamala’s would be closer, but do I really want to risk her trying to seduce me? Hell no. In the mood I was in, I’d be liable to hurt her. Who did that leave? Hodari, but Najuma was probably asleep, and I didn’t want to hear a diatribe from Hodari about getting involved with Reth. So that left Hassian. So, I started the long trek to Hassian’s grove. At this rate, I would make it just as dawn started hitting Bahari Bay.

I was walking by the lighthouse when Reth started coming to.

“Mm... who are you and why are you carrying me?”

“It’s Corinth. I saw you getting beaten to a pulp by a gang of people when Z—I mean when I was walking around in the bay. I took care of them for you.” I said, stopping before I mentioned

“Fancy Pants? You didn’t kill them did you?”

“Kill? No. Did I accidentally maim one of them and scare the rest? Yes.”

“What do you mean accidentally—you know what, tell me later. Let me down, my legs still work.”

“Nope. You’re not walking until I get you to Hassian’s. You have broken fingers and bruised ribs, I didn’t do a complete examination…”

“You have some serious muscles Fancy Pants. You’ve carried me from the Flooded Steps…”

“It’s a bit uncomfortable, but nothing I can’t handle. You forget I don’t get tired like you do.”

“Can you please let me down, I promise I can walk…”

“Reth, why?”

“This is embarrassing, but my body is starting to react to being this close to you. If you jiggle your ass one more time, you’re gonna feel it.” I literally dropped Reth onto the ground. “Ouch! Damn it, you could’ve done that gently you know.” Reth said as he got up off the ground.

“Walk then, the last thing I need is your boner poking me while I’m trying to get you to safety.”

“I was just being honest.”

“Perhaps I should’ve left you there…”

“No! No! I’m glad you jumped in and helped me. Fuck me, everything hurts. My face, my jaw, my ribs, my hips, my legs.”

“Yeah, I’m not taking you up on that proposition Reth, you got the shit beaten out of you. Can you walk? Or do you want me to carry you again?”

“Okay, Fancy Pants, I’ll bring that up some other time, but no. I got it, but could I use you for support? My ankle feels like it wants to give out.”

“Yeah, how’s your ribs, can I put my arm around you? Can you put your arm around me and lean on me?”

“Yeah,” Reth said, as he put his arm around my shoulders while I wrapped an arm around his back and underneath his underarms and we slowly made our way to Hassian’s grove. “So why Hassian? Tamala’s wasn’t nearly this far.”

“Well she came off way too strong for me, and I knew I’d probably threaten her within an inch of her life if she tried any of that shit with me. Hodari already gave me a warning about you, and I didn’t feel like hearing the diatribe from him if I happened to show up with you all injured and shit, so Hassian felt like a safe choice. Besides I’m supposed to go hunting with him here at dawn anyway.”

“Whoa, you and Hassian getting close?”

“No. He noticed I haven’t been using my bow lately and offered to teach me how to use it.”

“Okay…I know it’s not my place to say anything but Jel, Tish, and I saw you and him hugging and Auni blurted out that he invited you to play cards with him…if there’s more going on there, you can tell me.”

“Oh my God, if you have to know, there’s nothing there. I had a flashback, and he did his best to comfort me.”

“So, is he interested in you then? I’m trying to figure this out.”

“Honestly, who isn’t? Everyone I’ve come across besides a select few, seems to want to fuck me. I mean for fucks’ sake Jina fucking kissed me today. No matter what I do, it gets around and Hodari is right, people like to fucking talk.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it, Fancy Pants,” Reth said, as he frowned.

“I’m just overwhelmed. It’s been a week now since I arrived, I’ve been choked, ground on, sexually harassed, and now kissed. I don’t know what to make of it all. I thought I was asexual. I’m confused, cause all it’s done is light a fire inside of me. Like yeah, I’m angry, but I’m also curious about this new side of myself that’s been dormant and is awakening within.”

“I would never do anything that would make you uncomfortable Fancy Pants. I see Hassian’s Grove ahead. I’m sorry if I ever did anything to make you feel that way.”

I gave him a kiss on the unaffected side of his forehead. “Reth, I like you; I really do, I just need time to figure things out, and perhaps a little patience on everyone’s part. I am happy I was able to return the favor for all the food and soup you’ve given me.”

“Yeah, you outdid yourself with this one,” Reth said, as he watched Corinth knock on Hassian’s Grove door loudly.

“I’m coming…” Corinth could hear the hunter say gruffly before the door was jerked open. “Corinth! You’re a bit early…”

“Um, I have a situation here. I saw Reth being beaten up by a gang of grimalkins and Majiri.”

“What does Reth have to do…” Reth then stepped out and into the line of sight of Hassian. Hassian’s angry expression softened a bit seeing the condition Reth was in.

“Get inside, set him down on my bed roll next to the fire.”

“Thank you,” I said, as Reth put an arm around me, but Hassian did something I didn’t expect, he threw Reth’s other arm around his shoulders and helped me get Reth over to his bedroll. Then Hassian took control and set Reth gently down onto his bedroll. “I did a brief examination of Reth, and he’s got some broken fingers, possibly bruised ribs…”

“Yeah, they did a number on him. I need you to run and get Chayne. He should be on his way to the Dragon Shrine.”

“I won’t make it back in time for dawn. We were supposed to go hunting…”

Hassian then snapped at me. “Look plans change. Reth needs us right now, he needs his fingers set before they set themselves like this. Chayne is the only one who can do that.” I suddenly felt melancholic.

“Hassian, I don’t think snapping on Corinth is necessary.”

“I’ll go. Okay? I’ll be back with Chayne.” I said, my voice doing nothing to hide the sadness I felt as I quickly took off. Tears stung my eyes as I exited the door to Hassian’s grove before making my way and running out of the gate from Bahari Bay and going to Kilima. I ran across the bridge and checked the Dragon Shrine. Chayne wasn’t there yet, so I made my way up the path a bit more and found Chayne exiting his house. “Chayne!”

“Oh! Corinth! May Embra give you her guidance on this—”

“Hassian told me to come to get you, Reth was jumped by a gang of people, and he has some broken fingers, bruised ribs, and some cuts and bruises. Can you come to Hassian’s grove and help us?”

“Oh Gods above. Yes, I know where his Grove is, let me grab my medical bag and I will meet you there. Take this tincture and make sure Reth takes it orally. It’s a powerful painkiller and it should take effect by the time I get there. Also, if you can get Hassian to get water from the lake outside his grove that would be helpful.” Chayne said as he produced a green bottle from a pouch he kept tied to his hip.

“Yeah, I can do that.”

“Thank you for seeking me out,” Chayne said, as he turned to go into his house.

“I just want Reth to be okay.”

“He will be. This unfortunately not the first time I’ve had to tend to him after one of these run-ins.”

“He had this happen before?”

“Several times. But go. I will meet you there soon after you arrive. There’s a teleport that will take you to the Central Stables in Bahari, and from there take the Hideaway Bluffs teleport, it should deposit you right outside of his grove. Here are 100 coins for that. The closest teleport from my house is either the central stables or right outside of Einar’s cave.”

“There’s been teleports this whole time and I’m just finding out about them?”

“Hurry along. I will meet you there.” Chayne said as he finally entered his house.

I took off away from Chayne’s house to the central stables in Kilima, it was where Nai’o would usually be during the day tending to the animals there. I saw the board and there was a glowing box. I read the directions at the bottom of the board.

Place your coins in the box, ring the bell, and say the location you want to be teleported to.

Seemed easy enough. So, I looked and the teleport to Bahari Bay Stables was 50 coins, so I put 50 coins in the box, and rang the bell.
“Bahari Bay Central Stables.” I said before a gust of wind hit me, and I was launched into the air and teleported all the way to the Bahari Bay Central Stables. I was in front of the teleport board there and found Hideaway Bluffs, I put the last 50 coins into the box and rang the bell.

“Hideaway Bluffs.” I then was teleported to the board next to the lake in front of Hassian’s grove.

That was pretty cool, but I couldn’t stand in the ceremony for long. I raced up to Hassian’s door and knocked. “Hassian it’s me, Corinth, I’m back.”

Hassian came up and opened the door and stepped back to let me in. “Is Chayne coming?”

“Yeah. He told me to give this to Reth as soon as I got here and ask you to get some water from the lake to help clean any open wounds.”

“Yeah, I can do that. Stay here.” Hassian said, as he grabbed a couple of wooden buckets and exited the grove.

Reth looked up at me. “What is that Fancy Pants?”

“Painkiller,” I said as I grabbed the green glass jar Chayne had given to me and uncorked it. “Open wide and drink it all.” Reth opened his mouth as I slowly poured the tincture into his mouth. He drank about half of it, before recoiling in shock.

“Ugh, that’s seriously gross.”

“It’s not supposed to taste good, it’s medicine. Chayne needs me to give this to you before he comes and sets your fingers back in place.”

“Have I ever told you you have beautiful eyes? You truly are amazing.”

“I hear that all the time but thanks for the compliment. Open your mouth again.” Reth did as he was told and finished the rest of the bottle. Once it was swallowed he started up the conversation again.

“I can’t believe out of any of us in Kilima, Jina was the first one to take your first kiss. Color me surprised.”

“Well, that surprised me too. I didn’t think she liked me like that, I thought we were just two people who had a common goal of figuring out what happened to my race before we eradicated ourselves.”

“Did you like it though? The kiss.”

“I won’t lie. It was really nice.” Reth then launched himself off his feet and closed the gap between us.

“Perhaps I can indulge in a bit of research myself…” He was about to lean in and kiss me, but the door to the grove was opened and Hassian came in hauling two buckets full of water.

“Am I interrupting something?” Hassian asked, seeing how close Reth was to me. Reth quickly backed up and sat back down on Hassian’s bedroll.

“No, not at all, I was just thanking Corinth here for coming to my rescue. That’s all.”

“Uh-huh, I see.” Hassian said, in a tone that said he didn’t believe Reth for a moment. He walked over with both buckets of water and set them down next to Reth with a bit of force causing some of the water to splash out and drench the right side of Reth’s body.

“Hey! That’s cold!”

“Sorry.” Hassian said gruffly before turning back to me. “I saw Chayne coming up the path here to the grove. You gave Reth the painkiller?”

“Yeah, he drank it.”

“Good. Have you eaten at all?”

“I had a bowl of cream of mushroom soup last night, but nothing since then.”

“Okay, I’ll make some breakfast, keep Loverboy here company.”

“He’s not my Loverboy, he’s just a friend Hassian.”

Hassian then moved closer to me and put his hand over his mouth so Reth couldn’t see what he was saying. “There’s nothing friendly about that stare of his Corinth. It’s all lust. Best keep your feet on the ground before they are up in the clouds with him in between them.”

I blushed deeply, and my jaw dropped. I was once again flummoxed. “I—uh—did you need help with breakfast?”

“No I got it, thank you for the offer though. Keep Reth company, Chayne should be here shortly. Here take this cloth and get him cleaned up.”

“Will do,” I said taking the cloth Hassian provided for me.

I grabbed a bucket of water and threw the cloth into it before falling to my knees in front of Reth. I grabbed the now-soaked cloth and wrung it out before I set to the task of cleaning Reth up. “I feel loopy.”

“It’s the medication taking effect,” I said as I dabbed away the dried blood on Reth’s chin from his split lip.

“I owe you big time for this.”

“Well pay me back when you’re healthy. You’re not doing anything in this state.”

“I know.”

“Why did you get jumped anyway?”

“The deal went south, I do deliveries for Zeki.”

“Is Zeki a part of the Cartel Jina told me about?”

“Yeah, see. Tish had been dealing with this sickness since she was a child. When we lived in Bahari City. After we had just lost our parents in a boating accident her sickness got a lot worse. I took her to every doctor and healing shaman I could. Not one of them could figure out what she had or if it even had a cure. Then I heard that the cartel could have the answer I was looking for. They had this flow-infused flower that could heal her over time the more she wore it.”

“Reth…”

“They gave it to me to try it out. That flower Tish wears in her hair every day. It’s infused with flow. It’s healing her. Her coughing stopped overnight, she started to put on weight. The cartel then told me I either pay them a million coins for the flower, or I move to Kilima and make deliveries for them. You see which one I chose.”

“But Reth there has to be another way. It’s only a million coins. I can easily come up with that.”

“It’s more than that now, Fancy Pants. At this rate, I’ll be forever indebted to the cartel. I did this to myself, and I don’t want you getting involved trying to save me.”

“How is Zeki involved, do you know his position in the cartel?”

“He’s a lower-rank member, he’s not in charge of my contract or any of that. He just keeps a watchful eye out for me and makes sure things like what happened tonight don’t get me killed.”

“This is going to get you killed though.”

“Not if Hassian shows you how to use that bow of yours, Fancy Pants. How did you manage to scare them all off anyway?”

“I meant to shoot an arrow at one of the grimalkin’s feet, but the arrow ended up going through his Achilles. I honestly wasn’t trying to hurt anybody.”

“You shot one of them with your bow?” Hassian interjected, seems he had been listening in to our conversation. “I’m actually impressed. That cat won’t walk for a good while with that kind of injury.”

“Fancy Pants! Wow. I see what you meant by accidentally shooting him though. I just hope they don’t cause more trouble for me and Zeki. They’re the meanest gang I’ve had to deal with.”

“Reth, if you ever have need of my bow, I can help you. It sounds like you are in a rock and a hard place, and you’re trying to do what is best for your sister and yourself. Come find me next time you’re making a delivery in Bahari, and I’ll keep watch for you.” Hassian said, bowing his head as he threw some chapaa meat into a frying pan next to the fire.

“Uh, Thank you Hassian. I appreciate it.” Just then the door to the grove opened and in walked Chayne.

“Reth! How are you feeling?”

“I’ve had better nights; I’ll tell you that much.”

“Well, let me examine you, Corinth if you don’t mind, can you undress Reth for me?”

“Um. I can, yes.” I said as I started pulling off the cooking jacket Reth wore, folding it up, and starting a pile of his clothes. “Does everything need to come off?”

“Just down to his underwear. I need to examine him for any other broken bones or contusions.”

“Okay,” I said as I started unbuttoning his undershirt. By now, Reth was feeling the effects of the painkiller and was easily manipulable. The white skin that lay underneath was marred by scars, bruises, and scrapes. When I went to lift him up to take the shirt off, he had scars all over his back like he had been whipped with a multitailed whip. “Oh my God. What is this?”

“My punishment for disobeying an order once. Chayne does she have to undress me? I never wanted her to see this.”

“You can’t use your hands, Reth. You have broken fingers.” Chayne said, in a matter-of-fact tone. I peeled the shirt away, leaving him topless. I had tears in my eyes, now knowing the full extent of the abuse he had to suffer because he didn’t want his sister to die.

“Lay back Reth, I’m going to work on getting your boots and pants off.”

“Uh, you can do that anytime Fancy Pants.”

“Reth.” Chayne warned, his voice low.

“Sorry Chayne, you know what the painkiller does to me. I have no filter.”

I let out a breath as I worked on getting Reth’s boots off. His feet stunk so I held my breath as I peeled the socks off his feet before moving to his pants. I unbuttoned and unzipped them. “Lift your hips.”

“Gladly,” Reth said, as he lifted his hips up off the bedroll. I curled my fingers under the top of his pants and moved them down over the hump of his ass, down his thighs, and past his knees before peeling them off the rest of the way. His legs were marred by angry red and purple bruises. I folded up his clothes back onto the pile I started.

“Is that all you needed Chayne?” I asked, trying to keep my emotions in check.

“For now, yes.” He then looked up at me. “Why don’t you go outside and clear your head? I know it’s hard seeing Reth like this.”

“Yeah, um. I’ll do that.” I said, my voice betraying me as I stepped outside of Hassian’s grove and walked over to the lake. I let the dam of emotions break as I sat on my knees and let the torrent of sobs overcome my body. How could the cartel do this to him? He was this kind soul, and the cartel were doing their best to break him down. All he wanted was for Tish to live!

I cried and cried and cried. I heard footsteps approaching me.

“Corinth? Are you okay?” It was Penelope.

“Not having the best day at the moment. Sorry.”

“The sun hasn’t fully risen yet dear, is there anything I can do to help?”

“No. I don’t think so. I just need to get my emotions out.”

“Overwhelmed by everything?” Penelope asked, as she grabbed some fabric out of her bag and handed it to me. “Here dry those tears.”

“You can say that, yeah.” As I took the fabric and dipped it into the lake water to wash my face. I sniffled before clearing my nose out into the fabric.

“If you need to talk, I’m here to listen.”

“Oh, I don’t think I can really talk about it. It’s not my story to tell. The worst part about it is, I don’t think I can help. As much as I want to.”

“That’s understandable. So, you feel helpless…”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“Chin up Corinth. It’ll get better. You’re smart and beautiful and you got a good head on your shoulders, I’m sure you’ll figure it out with due time.”

“You’re right. I just want to help. You know?”

“I understand. Wanna do a bit of fishing? I find that always makes me feel better when I’m feeling down in the dumps.”

“I actually should head back and check on things. I’ll see you around Penelope.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? You still seem upset.”

“I’m better than what I was moments ago. Thank you. I see you around.” I said as I started walking back to Hassian’s grove.

I walked back inside to see Chayne wrapping Reth’s chest with bandages.

“How are you feeling Corinth?”

“Better. How is Reth doing?”

“He has bruised ribs, a black eye, bruises everywhere, and three broken fingers, he’s had worse though, believe me. Reth told me you have a voice.” I glanced over at Hassian who was ladling some kind of stew into four bowls. Our gaze met, as he shook his head.

“He hasn’t shut up about it since you left,” Hassian said, as he as he came up to me with a bowl full of stew. “Chapaa masala. Eat it while it’s still hot.”

“Thank you,” I said, as I grabbed the wooden spoon he handed to me as well as the bowl.

“Oh yes, she sings so amazingly Chayne. Fancy Pants, you should sing something for us. Anything to keep my mind off this next part.”

“I can if you want me to.”

“I’ll be setting and splinting Reth’s fingers next. Whatever will distract him, will be beneficial I’m sure.”

I looked at Hassian who was handing bowls of chapaa masala to both Chayne and Reth who shrugged. “This ought to be good.” He murmured under his breath.

“Hassian, if it will bring comfort, what’s the harm?” Chayne asked looking at the younger man.

“I didn’t—Mmph, Corinth, please, sing.”

“Can we go away and never turn around again.
On an escapade and always keep the vision”

The acoustics in Hassian’s grove were great and added great reverb and echo to my voice.

“Can we open out and spread ourselves around the sand
Captivate the sun keep the light till the world ends”

I started making a beat by patting on my thighs.

“Runaway! Runaway!
Runaway~ Runaway!

Take away the wall and break away my defense
Candle by our side and never let the rain begin”

I drummed the beat on my legs starting off softly before I hit them harder and harder building up to the chorus before I belted the next chorus. I just lost myself in the song I was singing, pouring all my emotion into it. I knew Chayne was busy setting Reth’s fingers, but both seemed tuned into my voice as well.

“Runaway! Runaway!
Runaway~ Runaway!

We're a part of a plan and it's already written
There’s no other way it's inside our every sense

Earth is our island (Earth is our island)
Earth is our island (Earth is our island)

Runaway! Runaway!
Runaway~ Runaway!

Karma, am I yours? is that your intuition
If that is your word? I'm your definition

Earth is our island (Earth is our Island)
Earth is our island (Earth is our Island)

Runaway! Runaway!
Runaway~ Runaway!

In our destinies this is what was missing
Echo in my mind even through a distance

Ooh Ooh Ooh Mmm…Runaway Runaway~
Runaway, Runaway…

Runaway! Runaway!
Runaway! Runaway!

Runaway!
Earth is our island
Runaway!
Earth is our island
Runaway~
Earth is our island
Runaway~

We're a part of a plan and it's already written
Candle by our side and never let the rain begin.”

When I stopped singing. Chayne was finishing up the splint on Reth’s right hand.

“That was absolutely beautiful Corinth. Where did you learn to sing like that?” Chayne asked, his eyes looking up from Reth’s splint.

“Um. I was a performer in my previous life.”

“Wait, you remember your previous life?” Chayne seemed lost for words for a moment. “Well, this changes things doesn’t it? I have so many questions.”

“I had a dream about how I was taken the other night. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about everything anyway. I’ve been having flashbacks as well.”

“Well, that was entertaining. Reth was right, you can sing well. Eat your chapaa masala before it gets cold. Then I will show you how to use that bow.”

“We’re still going hunting?”

“You’re not getting out of this that easily Corinth. So don’t even try it.” Hassian said, letting out a laugh as he ate another mouthful of the masala.

“Yeah it’s best you let Hassian teach you how to use that bow. Might come in handy again…” Reth murmured. “I’m so loopy and Corinth that was so pretty…”

“Thank you. I do what I can.” I said, as I picked up the bowl which was still a bit warm and tucked into it.

Upon finishing the bowl of masala, Hassian collected the bowls and set them aside to wash later. He grabbed some extra arrows for me and handed them to me.

“Hassian, would it be okay to let Reth rest here while the painkiller gets out of his system?”

“That’s fine Chayne, I appreciate you coming out on short notice.”

“It’s my pleasure. I will let Ashura know Reth’s condition. Corinth, would be willing to take care of Reth’s chores while he’s healing?”

“Yeah I can do that, no problem.”

“Here, this is what needs to be done. I found the list in his pocket, while you were singing.”

“Oh yeah, no problem. I’ll get it done before the day is done.”

“Wonderful. Well, I will take Reth’s clothes and drop them off for Jel to get laundered.”

“Are you ready to head out Corinth?” Hassian asked, his green eyes looking into mine.

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Good, we’ll be back in an hour Reth, will you be good for that time?”

“Yeah, I’m gonna pass out I think.”

“That would be best Reth. Get some rest and heal okay?” Chayne said as he put his bag over his shoulders.

“Got ya.” Reth mumbled.

The three of us left Hassian’s Grove, leaving Reth to rest.

Chapter Text

Chayne departed from us as soon as we left Hassian’s grove. Hassian bid Chayne goodbye. I noticed their closeness. “You and Chayne seem close.”

“Chayne was my mother and I’s shepp after we moved here to Kilima. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance.”

“So is it just you and Sifuu? The last time we talked, you said you lost your mother as a young boy.”

“Yes.” Hassian clenched his jaw. “Yes. I remember that conversation. I was a bit tipsy that night. My mom died while fighting the great beast that roams the Elderwoods. Although, there are rumors saying she actually became the beast. I try my best not to think about it. It’s the cycle of life, we are born, we live a short while, then we die.”

“That is true. I’m still sorry for your loss though.”

“Don’t be. I don’t need your sympathy.” Hassian said, then his face changed as he realized he was being harsh. “Sorry. I mean, I’ve come to terms with it.”

I cleared my throat in hopes of stopping my emotion from appearing in my voice again. “I know you don’t want my sympathy, but you have it. Where are we going?”

“The flooded ruins by Windy Ruin Temple. There’s quite a bit of sernuk and chapaa for you to train on.”

“Ugh, Hassian, I don’t want to kill anything, but can we just stick to the sernuk? I need leather for the glider I need from Najuma.”

“Oh, is that her latest invention? I think I saw some humans with those. They look handy but I’m afraid of heights.”

“You? Afraid of heights?” I chided the hunter. “I can’t believe my ears.”

“Shut it.”

“Hassian, I’m only teasing. We all have our fears, I’m scared of deep water. I accidentally went too deep in the water the last time I bathed, and the water started boiling around me then suddenly I reappeared on the ground next to the pond.”

“Oh, so that’s why you stink…” Hassian said as a smirk lined his lips.

“Boy, I ought to smack that smirk off your face.” I quipped, raising my hand up and waving it in a slapping motion in the air.

“Who are you calling a boy? Auni is a boy, I am not.” Hassian said as he paused to cross his arms over his chest. My joke had seemingly stung a bit, but I decided to double down anyway.

“You. That’s who.”

“Last I checked, I was a man. Maybe one day, if you’re lucky, I’ll prove that to you.”

“If that’s your attempt at flirtation, you’re gonna have to do better than that.”

“What makes you think I like you like that anyway?”

“You just said you wanted to prove that you’re a man to me, besides what you said about Reth back in your grove about having him between my legs? That sounded like jealousy. Come on Hassian, you’re not fooling anyone. You’ve given more than enough inklings to tell me you like me. I’m not as naïve as you think I am. Besides, who was the last human you taught how to use their bow?” I said, making sure to make consistent eye contact throughout my rant.

“You know what happens when you assume right?” Hassian said as his stare turned predatory. I blinked quickly as he started to approach me. I figured I’d push his buttons a bit more.

“You make an ass out of you and me,” I said in a sing-song voice as I shook my hips to the beat I made with my voice.

“You’re asking for it now.” Hassian started to dart in my direction, and I let out a scream and ran away from him. He gave me a full smile and full belly chuckle. His laugh sent shockwaves through me. Then he stopped laughing as soon as his eyes caught the sky. He then fully looked up at the sky. “Clouds are rolling in, and they don’t look good.”

“I have a cloak packed. We should probably hurry and get this done.” I said as I pulled out my bow.

“You’re right. In more than one way, might I add, you’re right? We’re almost to the area anyway. Let’s hurry before the storm gets here.”

Hassian and I made it to the flooded ruins where there were two geysers and an underground mine. He was right about the area, there were plenty of sernuk, and chapaas to keep an avid hunter happy.

“Where do I start, there are so many animals?”

“You said you needed leather, right? There’s a sernuk right there. He hasn’t spotted us yet. It should take two arrows to bring him down.”

“Okay,” I said as I brought the bow up.

“Your stance looks good. Take your aim, breathe in, and pull your arrow back, when you’re ready, exhale, while releasing your arrow.”

“Okay,” I said, as I aimed my arrow at the sernuk’s head. I then exhaled, while releasing the arrow. The arrow landed a clean headshot. Dispatching the sernuk with an arrow straight through the brainstem. It dropped straight to the ground and was dead before it even hit the ground.

“Holy shit! How did you know the magic spot to hit? That was…wow. Have you done this before?”

“Uh no unless you call my shot on the unlucky grimalkin last night, hunting.”

“Last night wasn’t hunting. You did what was necessary for a friend. What you just did here, that was hunting.”

“Okay, so now what do we do?”

“Now we dress your kill.”

“Oh, I think my cloak would look so cute on—” The look on Hassian’s face when I said that, it was like he was about to say “Are you serious?” and I stopped myself and laughed. “I’m kidding. Jeez lighten up.”

Hassian then busted out in the loudest belly laugh I had ever seen. “Oh my…oh my, I can’t breathe.” I busted out laughing with my own equally loud belly laugh and we just set each other off in a series of laughter. When we finally calmed down Hassian handed me his hunting knife just as thunder was heard in the distance and it had started sprinkling.

“I’ll direct you how to dress your kill, since it’s yours, it’s only fair you do it.”

Hassian gave me an anatomy lesson on the dead sernuk. He directed me to first bleed out the sernuk by cutting a line across the neck, so both the jugular veins and carotid arteries were sliced through. Hassian helped me with the compressions of the animal’s chest, to help speed up the process. My clothes became a bloody mess from this.

Then I would cut into the belly once the animal was sufficiently bled out. We kept the heart, lungs liver, and small intestines, and he told me to cut the ones we weren’t keeping into small pieces and toss them out away from the kill for the birds and other animals to eat. The weather was deteriorating quickly however, so instead of skinning and taking the meat out in the field as Hassian would normally do, he hoisted the gutted carcass onto his shoulders, and we decided to continue in the safety of his grove.

I ended up having to put my cloak on as the light sprinkle of rain, turned into a torrential downpour. We made it back to the grove in record time. Reth was still passed out on Hassian’s bedroll.

We moved quietly and quickly so as to not wake the man. Hassian set the animal on a table carefully. “We gotta work quickly, rigor mortis is starting to set in.” We were inside his tent that was in the grove. He checked the spot where he normally kept his hunting knife. “Do you still have my knife?”

“Oh yeah,” I said taking off my backpack and pulling it out before handing him his knife back, the handle toward him of course. I knew proper knife-handling etiquette.

“Oh good, if you left it out in the field I was going to make you go back for it,” Hassian said, grabbing the knife as he unlatched his holder which lay on his chest, and slid the blade of the knife into it.

I looked at him shocked. “Have you seen it out there?” I asked, pointing toward his door with my thumb as I leaned my hip against the table.

“My mom gave me this knife. I would’ve been so pissed if you lost it.” Hassian said as he struggled to get the latch back over his holder.

“You really think I’m that aloof I would lose your knife? Do you need help?” I asked, as he took his knife back out and sheathed it back into his holder for it, and fumbled with the latch.

“No, but this knife means more to me than my own life. You’re lucky I even let you use it.” He was getting frustrated, and his fingers didn’t seem to want to work right.

“Are you saying I’m special or something? Do you want my help? I can help you latch it.”

Hassian rolled his eyes at me. “You can certainly be dense, at times.” Hassian let out a breath. “Yes, my hands are frozen,” Hassian said, as he threw his hands up in defeat.

“Okay.” I said, as I pulled the small leather strap through the metal buckle and tightened it. “There.”

“Thank you.” Our eyes made contact. We held each other’s gaze for a moment. My hands hadn’t quite left Hassian’s chest yet, and he brought his hands up and curled them around my own. He was right, his hands were freezing cold. My hands were warm and I’m sure they felt good against his. My heart fluttered in my chest at the simple skin-on-skin contact.

“Your hands are warm. They feel nice.”

“Let me see your hands,” I said, and Hassian looked at me with a questioning look on his face but trusted my judgment. I pulled his hands together, so his palms were touching. Like he was praying. I brought his lips to the butt of his palms and blew my warm breath along the crevice of his palms while I rubbed the outside of his fingers and hands roughly.

“What are you—”

“Warming your hands, the warm air on the inside of your hands and the friction on the outside will tell your body to bring the blood back to your hands. It’s scientific.”

“Scientific?”

“Yes. Trust the process.”

“Well, it does feel nice,”

“Do they feel better?”

“Maybe?” Hassian pulled his hands away and clenched and unclenched his hands. “Yes, that’s much better. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, smiling as I turned back to the carcass on the table. “We should take care of this so I can get back to Kilima and take care of Reth’s chores.”

“Oh yeah. Stay here, I think I have another knife around here you can use.”

Hassian and I spent the next half hour cutting the sernuk into useable cuts of meat and skinning the animal. I was given all the hide, and all the meat, I knew I wasn’t going to use all the meat, but Hassian said to just deliver it to the Inn as Reth usually came to Hassian for meat daily anyway. He even threw in some chapaa meat and dari cloves as an apology to Ashura for Reth missing another day at the Inn.

I was a smelly, bloody mess. I literally looked and smelled like I had fallen asleep inside a dead sernuk.

“Let me walk you back.”

“You don’t have to. It’s still storming out there.”

“Corinth this is the best day I’ve had in a while, let me walk you up to my mom’s house at least. My mom has a shower with hot running water. I’m sure I can convince her to let you use it for everything you’ve done today.”

“A hot shower sounds so divine right about now.” I gushed as we left the grove. Reth was still asleep and Hassian assured me he probably would be out for the rest of the day. It was one of the side effects of the painkiller.

Hassian had grabbed his cloak, it was as black as night. He smiled wide. “I thought it would. You did great today. Did you have another set of clothes you needed to grab?”

“Yeah I do, I can run back to my plot really quick and grab them. Your mom’s house isn’t too far away, so I can drop you off there and run back home quickly.”

“Yeah, you should do that, I can talk to my mom in the meantime.” Hassian stopped before we were about to go out of the gate of Bahari and moved so that he was in front of me. It was still raining heavily. “Before we go back to Kilima, I want to do something I’ve been wanting to do all day, do I have your permission?”

I looked at him strangely. “Well, that depends on what it is.”

“Well it comes in two parts. Part one is now. I’m in a good mood, so…” Hassian turned around and got on one knee. “Hop on my back, I’ll give you a piggyback ride up to my mom’s house.”

I let out a laugh. It seemed spending the day with me brought a playful side out in Hassian. “Okay, sure.” I said as I wrapped my legs around Hassian’s trunk and my arms around his shoulders. He lifted me up and hooked his arms underneath my knees to keep me secure on his back. We took off out of the gates of Bahari and entered Kilima. Fellow humans darted by, giving us strange looks as they made their way to the Bay, but it didn’t bother us any. Hassian continuing his playful mood, let his hands wander up and down the outside of my thighs, and he would jump up every so often. The friction it would cause against my nether regions took my breath away. I found myself growing hot. My grip around Hassian became ever so tight, as I desperately tried to readjust my hips so my womanhood wouldn’t grind against his back, but every time I did this he would just readjust my legs. The little fucker knew what he was doing. This was torture. This seemingly innocent gesture turned into my slow undoing. During one of these little jumps, I accidentally let out a moan. Something was building within me, and Hassian could sense it.

“Feeling good up there?”

“Hassian, set me down. Please.”

“We’re not there yet, though, are we? I could do this all day. You’re as light as a feather Corinth. Even with all that meat in your backpack.” Hassian purred teasingly, he did a few more small jumps and I clung to the man like my life depended on it. My breathing grew quick and ragged, my heart rate was through the roof. My pussy was on fire, this man was trying to make me cum.

“Hassian…please. Let me down.” I pleaded. I bit down on my lip so hard I thought it was going to bite right through it. He was taking the long way around, making sure to walk slowly through the dragon shrine area.

“I finally got you where I want you.” His hands gripped my ass and held me firmly against his back and he began skipping down the path that was my complete undoing. The friction accumulated into a series of strong contractions which ricocheted throughout my whole body. “And I’m not letting you go anytime soon.” His grip on my ass became almost bruising which caused my hips to grind against his back and caused the rest of my orgasm to hit me like a lightning bolt.

“Oh fuck! Hassian…” I moaned as I gripped the fabric of Hassian’s cloak. He continued skipping down the path like a madman, making sure to get every bit of pleasure he could out of me.

Hassian snickered mischievously. “Perhaps this will teach you not to underestimate me.” As his hands smoothed down my thighs slowly. His hands felt so hot through the fabric of my pants.

“You’re—you’re right…” Hassian stopped at the path that led to his mother’s house and let go of my legs and I was positively convinced I had friction burn down below. We were just past the bridge that led to the dragon shrine. He had set me down almost against a large samara tree and I leaned against it for support. My legs felt like jello. It’d be a miracle if I could make it back it back to my plot without falling.

“Now, for part two…” Part two? If that was part one…oh dear God. I shuddered. Hassian looked right into my eyes. He had this look his in eyes and I realized his words from earlier. He was the hunter, and I was his prey. I probably looked like a deer in headlights, positively terrified at the moment.

He licked his lips as he leaned forward. He placed a hand on my chin and tilted my chin up so I would look him in the eye. “Part two, can I kiss you?”

“What do you think?” I asked, before pulling the man by his cloak, and acting like I was going to kiss him, but quickly dodged him and he almost went headfirst into the tree. He luckily caught himself. He looked at me, clearly angry. “You too, underestimate me Hassian. You should’ve put me down when I asked you the first time. I’m not some easy fuck Hassian, I have standards too.”

“We had a good day though…and you just—”

“I gave you permission for a piggyback ride, not to be held against my will until I had an orgasm. I didn’t consent to that. I asked you twice to let me down.”

Hassian looked at me with a gobsmacked expression. “I—I thought you wanted it.”

I shook my head. “You gave me a friction burn for a bit of fun on your part Hassian. Whatever, I’m going back to my plot to bathe and wash my clothes. You are unbelievable.”

“Corinth wait, you’re right. I acted like a selfish asshole; I should have put you down when you asked me to the first time. I’m sorry. I own up to this one and I will make it up to you. Give me another chance. I promise I will do better next time.”

Our eyes met; he was being sincere. “Fine, but I’m never doing another piggyback ride with you unless I somehow can’t manage to walk on my own.”

“That is…fine. I’m sorry, I promise from this point forward, I will ask for your complete consent. I’ll talk to my mother about that shower…”

“Okay. I’ll meet you back here in ten minutes.”

Hassian acknowledged me with a nod as we parted ways in front of his mother’s house and I ran up to my plot. I grabbed an extra change of clothes and any toiletries I needed before I made my way to Sifuu’s house. I knocked on the door and Sifuu answered.

“Corinth! Come on in. Welcome to my lovely abode. It’s got the best view of Kilima village!” Sifuu said as she stepped back and allowed me inside. She then closed the door behind me. “Heard you and my boy are getting close.”

“Um. Yeah. I guess you can say that.” I said I wasn’t exactly trying to dance around the subject, but I was kind of intimidated by Sifuu, she was loud and boisterous, and a lot bigger and taller than me.

“Don’t be shy Cori, if you’re getting to know my boy, you got to get to know me. You look like you could use a hot shower, let me show you to the bathroom and get you situated.”

I nodded and walked by Hassian who was sitting on the couch in the living room as I followed Sifuu into the bathroom. She quickly gave me a rundown about how the shower works. Sifuu then shut the door to the bathroom and locked it before sitting down on the lidded toilet. The lighthearted aura in the room soon was dampened by Sifuu’s serious demeanor. I swallowed nervously. “Look Corinth, I like you, and I know you like my boy Hassian. I also know about what happened. I know he’s apologized to you, but I want to apologize to you too on his behalf. I didn’t raise my boy to be like that.”

My jaw dropped as I put a hand over my open mouth. “Hassian told you?”

She laughed at my expression. “He tells me everything. I just want to let you know that I told him if he wants to go through the proper channels of courtin’ you, he needs to talk to Chayne about it first.” Sifuu said, as she put a hand under her chin. “Sometimes men let their dicks rule their head and rarely is it ever the other way around.” I blushed at that, and I brought my hands up to my face to hide my embarrassment. “You should probably talk to Chayne too, he might be able to hook you up with an anti-chafing cream, cause boy, having a friction burn on your hoo-ha…that ain’t fun and I would know.”

My jaw dropped again at her bluntness. I was absolutely mortified. I just wanted to dig a hole and throw myself into it. “Can we not talk about that, please?”

“Oh I’m sorry, sometimes I can be a bit too blunt for my own good. You don’t have to be shy around me Corinth…we’re both women.”

“I know. I’m just not used to having my nether regions referred to as a hoo-ha…” I said as I watched Sifuu get up off the toilet before she opened a cabinet above the toilet and grabbed a towel. She handed it to me.

“What do you humans call it then?” Sifuu asked, looking at me curiously.

“A pussy, vagina, maybe some humans call it a hoo-ha, but I’d rather be anatomically correct when referring to it.”

“I see. Good talk. I’ll leave ya be so you can shower. Meanwhile, I’ll drag Hassian over to see Chayne.”

“Sounds good…thank you for letting me use your shower.”

“Anytime!” Sifuu said, as she opened the door and walked out. “Hassian, you and I are heading up to Chayne’s…”

I turned on the shower which drowned out the voices outside of the bathroom. I set the temperature of the water to my liking before stripping down and stepping inside. My nether regions were stinging. I would have to see Chayne eventually, but I needed to complete Reth’s chores first before then.

My thoughts then turned to Hassian and I wondered if I had been too harsh on him, then Kenyatta’s words about how consent should still be there echoed in my mind. Technically I did consent to part one and part two of Hassian’s plan by default but if I didn’t know what he had planned, could I truly consent? That was the question.

Perhaps all of it was his way of being spontaneous, but it was all said and done now. I washed my hair and as I did so, my thoughts drifted to Reth. Sadness consumed my heart again. He deserved so much better than this card life dealt him. I rinsed out the soap in my hair, and began lathering the cream rinse into it. Reth seemed like a patient guy, and he did apologize to me. I decided I was gonna give him a chance and see what happens.

I grabbed my bath sponge and razor and finished up the rest of my shower. Making sure to scrub at any blood, dirt and sweat that was caked on my skin. The hot water did wonders for me. Definitely a lot better than the cold ass water in my pond. I stepped out of the shower once I felt I was adequately clean. The clock on the wall in the bathroom told me it was a little after 2 pm. I still had time to get Reth’s chores done.

I found the list and read over it.

Meat from Hassian - I have that already in my bag.
Pickles from Nai’o – Seems easy enough.
Bring Eshe her food – Oh shit, it’s already after two.

I pulled my white skirt on, and the simple tank crop top I wore on the day I arrived here. It was the only thing clean I had. I didn’t like how little it covered me, but I had the cloak this time, so I could cover up. I exited the bathroom to find the house empty. So, I left Sifuu’s house and I stopped by my plot to drop off my toiletries and dirty clothing before heading straight over to the Inn.

Ashura seemed busy and exhausted. “Corinth, hey, any news?” I realized I couldn’t tell him what exactly happened to Reth and I didn’t know if Chayne had stopped in yet. I had no idea if Ashura knew about Reth being a delivery boy for the cartel or not. So, I tried to think of a reasonable lie.

“Reth is sick, I found him passed out while I was out in Bahari Bay and brought him back to Hassian’s grove. Chayne tended to him this morning. I’m assuming he was out last night looking for Dari cloves.” I said, shrugging.

“Oh Gods above…”

“I can help take over for Reth if need be. I happened to find a list of chores next to him while I was making sure he was okay. I can get them done, actually…” I said, as I pulled off my bag and grabbed all the meat out, along with the chapaa meat and the extra dari cloves. “I already got the meat from Hassian he sent along some extra chapaa meat and dari cloves for chapaa masala.”

“Oh thank you. Here. This is the meal for Eshe, I managed to cook something up for her, might not be Reth-quality, but it’s food nonetheless.”

“I’ll make sure she gets it asap!”

“Asap?”

“As soon as possible and I’ll pick up those pickles from Nai’o too.”

“Oh, Corinth you’re a godsend…”

“If you need anything else, let me know.”

“Will do!” Ashura said nodding.

I spotted Eshe at the end of the bridge. She was identifiable by her emerald, green cloak she wore. “Good Afternoon Eshe!”

“Corinth! Can I help you?” Eshe asked, her eyes narrowing at me.

“Yeah, I have a delivery for you,” I said, as I handed her the box of food.

“Is this the meal I ordered from that riffraff at the Inn? Well, I suppose late is better than never. Marginally.”

“Well, Reth is a bit sick at the moment so I’m filling for him at the Inn. Ashura prepared your meal today.”

“Ugh, this is what happens when you stray from your Path Corinth, you’d be wise to remember that. That boy should have stayed a carpenter. Ever since my chef Enzo quit, I have been struggling to find edible food in this town. And now, what little food I can get is delivered freezing cold?”

“Eshe, my apologies, I came as soon as I could. I’ll make sure it won’t happen again.”

“Well, fine. I accept your apology. Ugh, I suppose you want something for your effort. I am busy enough without having to entertain you. Here, take this and be on your way.” Eshe said as she handed me a sack of gold and waved me on.

“Thanks!” I said, as I ran over to the Kilima Central Stables, where Nai’o dressed in his brown cloak, saw me approach.

“Corinth! How are you doing? Why are you out in the rain?”

“Hey I’m filling in for Reth at the Inn today, does he usually come here to pick up pickles?”

“Oh. For the pickles, right! I've got them around here somewhere...give me a moment.” Nai’o said as he walked into the stables before producing a case of pickles. “Ya know, to be honest, I'm glad you're here instead of him.”

“Why is that?” I asked, looking up at Nai’o as I began taking the jars out of the box and began putting them into my bag.

“You know what he's like, right? Always flirting with everyone. Even with people who are maybe sort of kind of already taken.” Nai’o clenched his jaw and then took a deep breath. “Sorry, I got a little fired up there.”

“How did that all go down?” I asked, as I loaded the last of the jars of pickles into my bag and handed the box back to Nai’o.

“Well, I decided to take my shirt off to work here at the stables because it was sweltering hot. Reth came for his delivery and wouldn’t stop trying to hit on me. It made me uncomfortable, and then Eshe came by and told me to cover up then gave me a fine for indecent exposure. Can you believe that?”

I let out a laugh. “I totally believe that. Reth can be a bit of a flirt, but honestly, Reth isn’t a bad guy. He was just trying to compliment you and sometimes his way of doing it comes across as flirting. I mean, I see where Reth is coming from though, you have the physique of a Greek God.”

“A Greek God? Is that a good thing?”

“That’s a very good thing Nai’o.”

“What do you do about it though? I know you and Reth are getting close. Have you two you know…” Nai’o made a lewd gesture with his hands which suggested sex. “…gotten serious?”

“Oh no. I haven’t done that with anyone…and probably won’t for a while.” My face flushed. “But I kind of like him so I flirt with him back, no harm no foul, you can choose to accept him or ignore him, but I know he likes to be complimented back.”

“Uh, okay.” Nai’o said as he stewed on my words for a moment. “I might talk to Reth after this. Though... why are you here instead of him? Are you doing his job for him now?”

“Yeah, that talk might not happen today Nai’o. I’m filling in for him at the Inn today. I found him passed out in Bahari Bay while I was out there last night. He’s sleeping at Hassian’s grove, Chayne’s already been to see him.”

“Were you able to sleep last night? What were you doing out in the Bay that late?”

“Can any human sleep? I’m starting to believe my kind is cursed. I was looking for dari cloves and heartwood last night.”

“Well if you happen to see Reth before I do, tell him I hope he gets better. And uh, a tip for doing Reth's job for him.” Nai’o said, as he handed me some gold as well as some jams.

“Thank you Nai’o, I should probably get these to Ashura. I’ll see you around.”

“Wait, Corinth, before you go. Um, could you possibly meet me later, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Sure, what time should I meet you, and where?”

“Meet me at Mirror Pond, say around 7 tonight? I’m in a bit of a pickle and could use some advice and help. If you didn’t mind…”

“Sure Nai’o. What are friends for, right?” I said, flashing him a smile. “Let me get these to Ashura though, he’s waiting on me.”

“Of course, see ya later Corinth!”

“Yep see ya.” I said, as I began to make my way back to the Inn.

Ashura smiled as soon as he saw me walk in. “Cori, can you meet me in the kitchen please?”

“Uh, yeah, is that where you want the pickles?”

“Yeah, just put those on the counter. I’ll be there in a minute.” Ashura said as he poured steins of beer for Zeki and some humans who were talking to him.

I pulled off my bag again and began taking the jars of pickles out of my bag and stacking them on the counter in the kitchen. Ashura let out a breath and leaned against the door jam. I looked up over at him. “Are you okay Ashura?”

“I’d be better if I could get a clear answer on why Reth has been as aloof as a proud horn sernuk these last couple of days. Chayne said Reth got jumped last night. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you, Cori?”

I swallowed hard. My heart started racing in my chest. “Um. I wasn’t entirely honest when I talked to you earlier. I was in the Bay, and I saw the group who jumped Reth. I-I might have shot one of them in the leg and they got scared off. I hauled him to Hassian’s grove. They beat him to a pulp Ashura. I figured Hassian would be the best person to bring him to.”

“Who would do such a thing?”

“I-I wish I knew.”

“Well, I think Kenli and Eshe need to know if there’s a group of bandits roaming the countryside in Bahari Bay if that’s the case. Hodari and Tamala too. Hodari’s got Najuma to think about.”

This conversation was getting uncomfortable. I knew I had to keep Reth’s dealings with the cartel to myself. “I think it was an isolated incident Ashura. No need to put the whole village and surrounding area on high alert. Hassian said he’d keep an eye out for the people who did that to Reth…I think Hassian is more than capable of doing that.”

“What was Reth doing out in the Bay so late anyway?” Ashura said, as he began putting the pickles away in the cabinet.

“Probably doing the same as me, getting Dari Cloves for you, and Heartwood for Tish if I had to guess.”

“That boy is always putting everybody’s needs over his own. It’s gonna kill him someday.”

“Well, he’s not dead and I can step in and help at the Inn if you need me to while Reth heals. I didn’t mean to lie to you earlier, I just didn’t know how to address everything that happened last night.”

“No, don’t worry about it, I probably would’ve done the same thing in the same situation. Did you deliver Eshe her food?”

“I did. I did all of Reth’s running for you.”

“You did, I'm sorry you got caught up in all this. Thank you for helping out, I appreciate it Cori, how's Reth doing? Like really, is he okay?”

“He’s stressed out.”

“The lad's always trying his best to seem fine. All he's got is Tish, and with her condition... well.”

“I know all about that Ashura. He’s stressed over Tish, he’s running himself ragged. I’m trying to tell him it’s okay to take time out and relax. Talking to him is like talking to a stone wall at times.”

“You do? Hm. You two are getting along well then I take it?”

“What do you mean by that? If you think we’re romantically involved, that would be a no. There’s been nothing but his usual flirtations.”

Ashura let out a chuckle. “Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to assume. You’ve only been here a little over a week, but I do find it surprising he let you know about his sister’s condition. I couldn’t get that out of him for three months.”

“Yeah, maybe it’s just because I’m a human. Is that everything you needed from me?”

“Actually, Chayne also said that you helped comfort Reth by singing. Chayne seemed impressed by your musical talent.”

“Oh,” I looked down at the ground as I felt my face heat up. “It was nothing really, just a song I happened to remember from my previous life.”

“He’s not the only one who has stopped in and mentioned it though. Both Tish and Jel have pleaded to let you sing here at the Inn.”

“They did?” I asked as I cocked my head to the side while looking up at the man.

“Yeah, I’d like to audition your talents. When would you have time?”

“Well, I need to meet up with Nai’o later and I gotta talk to Chayne sometime soon too…”

“Nai’o? I didn’t realize you and Dalaila’s son were getting close either.”

“I’ve been a busy woman since I arrived Ashura. All I do is work.”

Ashura let out a belly laugh. “I admire that about you Cori. You have one hell of a work ethic, a great head on your shoulders, and a heart of gold. You seem to be fitting in well around here.”

“I’m trying. That’s all I can do.”

“And it shows! Any plans for tomorrow?”

“Well that depends on Reth’s condition, did you need me tomorrow?”

“I might. Why don’t you show up tomorrow around 7 am? That’ll give me some time to show you how to work the stove and show you some recipes.”

“What if Reth shows up tomorrow? Both you and I know, he never rests.”

“Well, you can come by for your audition then.”

“I don’t have an instrument to play or even if I did, I’d have to remind myself quickly how to play it. I’m sure you don’t want me singing acapella do you?”

“Ooh, I didn’t think about that. Okay, well I guess I could do it with you singing acapella. Or we could just play it by ear and do it at a later time. Do you know if you played any instruments in your previous life?”

“I’m sure I did. What is that instrument called…it has a body made of hallowed out wood, has six strings, with a fretboard, and has a hole in the middle of the body.”

“A guitar? There are not many of those actually left, I’ve only seen them in taverns I visited as a young man. Lutes here are more common and a lot cheaper to produce.”

“Yes, a guitar. I think I vaguely remember playing the guitar. I don’t know if I’ll actually remember to play it, but something within me tells me that and the piano were the instruments I preferred.”

“A piano? What is that?”

“Oh boy. It’s technically a string instrument but you use keys connected to hammers that strike the string and it produces a tone. It has 88 keys usually colored black and white…um…and has three different pedals that sustain, suppress, and shorten the tones.”

“Oh! Is that what it’s called? Well, shoot. I had one of those given to the Inn a while back and I had no idea what to do with it, so I sold it to Zeki.”

“No worries, I’ll ask Zeki about it next time I talk to him.” I said, as I pulled on my backpack.

“Going back to Reth, he could use some more friends like you, Cori. Will you do an old man a favor and keep an eye on him for me, would you? It'd make me feel a lot better if he had someone else looking out for him.”

I put a hand on Ashura’s arm. “I’m more than capable of doing that.”

“Thank you, it means a lot.”

“Am I seeing you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, just to be on the safe side.”

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow morning then,” I said as I waved at Ashura as I made my way out of the Inn.

Chapter Text

As soon as I left the Inn, I saw Hassian making his way toward me. “Corinth!”

I stopped in my tracks and waited for Hassian to close the distance a bit more. “What?”

“Reth is gone. I went back to my Grove to check on him after my mother took me to see Chayne.”

“He’s probably fine. You know how he is, that man can’t rest even if his life depended on it.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“If I hear from him, I’ll let you know, okay?” I said, as I went to take my leave, but Hassian grabbed my upper arm, I stopped and looked at him.

“Corinth, I’m sorry about earlier. I was wrong. I want to do things right, I left a book that Chayne gave me with Caleri, I want you to read it.”

“I will when I get a chance. The next couple of days have suddenly gotten really busy for me.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, Nai’o wants to meet up with me, I still need to talk to Chayne, and Zeki, and tomorrow, I might need to fill in at the Inn if Reth is still MIA.”

“MIA?”

“Missing in action, if he does show up, Ashura wants to audition me to sing at the Inn.”

“You’re practically a shoo-in for that you already know that.”

“Eh, I’m nervous as fuck. But I should probably get going, I think I have about a couple of hours before I’m supposed to meet up with Nai’o…”

“Are you and him getting…”

“No Hassian. He just needs my help for something, I don’t know what for though.”

“I see. I will let you go. Don’t forget about the book.”

“I’ll try not to,” I said, as Hassian released my arms and made his way to the Inn. I turned on my heel, feeling the annoying sting of the friction burn between my legs as I did so. Another voice called out for me.

“Corinth! Can I talk at cha’ for a moment?” Zeki called out from his shop. I let out a breath as my eyes fell on the much smaller, rotund grimalkin. I let out a nod as I turned to walk into Zeki’s shop. “Follow me, I need to talk to you in private,” Zeki said, as he led me around his counter and into the backroom. He quickly took out a key and opened the magical barrier. I followed him on through, down a set of stairs, where we came across a bookcase. Zeki pulled out a book and the bookcase moved to the right to reveal another door. He led me to the underground. As soon as we entered this glorious smell filled my nose.

“What is that smell?”

“That smell is Reth cooking up a storm and it’s not for me before you say anything. Whoever he’s cooking for, they gotta be special. Reth knows I love fish, and he ain’t using any.”

“He’s here? I need to see him.”

“Hold on a moment, we need to have a chat first. Here. I think you earned this first of all.” Zeki said as he handed over a key. “That’s the key to my entrance to the underground. That way you don’t have to use the sewer entrance every time. Also, here.” Zeki said as he gave me three coins. I looked at him strangely. “For my lucky machine on my front counter in my shop. There’s one here too. Go ahead, give it a whirl.”

I nodded and put all three coins in to get three lucky boxes and I opened them. I got some furniture, a gold bar, and some onion seeds. “Nice!” I said as I put the items in my backpack. “Was that everything?”

“Not yet. Have a seat.” Zeki said as he pulled a chair up for me to sit. As soon as I sat down, Zeki pulled up a chair in front of me. “Reth told me about what happened last night, and how you stuck your neck out for him and saved him from possibly gettin’ killed. I wanted to thank you for doing that for him.”

“It was nothing, I was worried when Ashura sent me that letter. Also, I wanted to apologize for threatening to skin you last night. Reth made it clear that you have nothing to do with his contract with the cartel.”

Zeki let out a laugh. “I get that a lot. You’re not the first human to threaten me, and you certainly won’t be the last. If I could find a way to get me and Reth out of the cartel, I’d do it in a heartbeat, but we're both too far in debt it’ll be a miracle if we make it out alive.”

I frowned. “How powerful is the cartel?”

“Just about as powerful if not more so than the Order if I’m being honest. It’s a fine line we have to tow along to keep being in the cartel’s good graces. You know that boy has no business being in this as much as I do. He was just trying to keep his sister alive.”

“How did you become involved in the cartel?”

“As a young kitten of course. Still wet behind the ears. A lot of us are born into it. I started running errands for my mother as soon as I could walk, and an opposing cartel didn’t like it, I was tricked…er—more like kidnapped and deprived of my basic needs until I agreed to join. The cartel business is pretty much all I’ve ever known.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Can I ask, who whipped Reth? Chayne asked me to help undress him and I saw the scars on his back.” I said as tears started to sting my eyes. Zeki pulled out a handkerchief from a pocket in his vest and handed it to me. Frowning as he did so.

“My superiors. We had a deal go south shortly after Reth arrived here, they kidnapped us, and I tried to step in for Reth, but told them to whip me instead as Reth was still new, and still learning. The bastards said he’s gotta learn. They threw me in shackles and hauled Reth away. I’ll never forget the sounds of the whip making contact or Reth’s cries. We need to get out of this fuckin’ cartel, the gangs we deal with seem to be getting more violent, and ruthless.”

“Let me help. Please, it’s the least I can do.”

“No, I’ll figure it out Corinth, I don’t want you getting involved. I know you want to help, and I know you and Reth are getting close, but it’s best to stay out of this one. Let me figure things out.”

“If the cartel is as powerful as you say they are, you’re not going to be able to take them down by yourself.”

Zeki let out a heavy breath. “I hate seeing you cry like this, but please if it’s any comfort to know that I haven’t gotten this far without having some wits about me. It may seem hopeless, but I got plenty of hope, plenty of brains, and with you humans appearing, plenty of gold. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

I used Zeki’s handkerchief to dry my tears. “My offer still stands though if you need me for anything. Let me know.”

“Look, I already said don’t want you getting involved, but if and that’s a very big if, I need ya, I’ll send for you. Dry your tears and take these to Reth.” Zeki said, as he opened a drawer and took out a heart-shaped box of chocolates before handing them to me.

“What is this?” I asked, taking the box of chocolates from Zeki and looking at them.

“Are you familiar with the courting rituals we have here in Palia?” Zeki asked, carefully eying me.

I shook my head. “Well, consider this your crash course. You’ll thank me later, trust me.” Zeki said as he winked at me. “Also, I have a load more of those you can buy from me if anyone else strikes your fancy. The Majiri are a very…open-minded race when it comes to the affairs of the heart.” Zeki hopped off his chair. “Now I’m going over to the Inn to say hi to Ashura. See ya around kid.” Zeki said as he put his paw on my shoulder.

“Wait, Zeki, did you have a piano? One you bought from Ashura a while ago?”

“Oh yeah, that thing’s been collecting dust. Do you know how to play? Why are you asking me kid…”

“I have an audition tomorrow. I need to track down a guitar or a piano.”

“Take it if you need it. You can get Tish to take a look at it for you too. Think she’s got the tools for it. I gotta go kid.”

“Wait, your handkerchief…”

“Keep it.” Zeki said, as he removed his paw, and trotted out of the underground. I peeled off my cloak and put it into my bag.

I hid the box of chocolates behind my back as I stealthily approached the counter where Reth was working away. It was just him and I down there, so the sound of sauce simmering, metal clinging with metal echoed throughout the wide expanse of the underground market. As I approached the counter something caught me from the corner of my eye. I turned my head to look at what caught my eye, and sure enough, there was the piano.

I would have to check it out after I give these chocolates to Reth. I approached the counter. “Hello sir, you wouldn’t happen to have some loaded potato soup would you?”

Reth stopped what he was doing, recognizing my voice. He slowly turned around. “Oh, there’s the face I keep seeing in my dreams.” Reth said, “What are you doing down here? How did you know I was here?”

I raised an eyebrow, and I could feel my face heat up. “Um, Zeki wanted to talk to me. Can you do something for me?”

“Anything. Just name it.”

“Can you close your eyes?”

“Of course, I’ll even turn around, so I’m not tempted to look,” Reth said, closing his eyes as he turned around. I set the box of chocolates on the counter and perfected it so the heart would look straight when he turned around.

My stomach was a pit of nerves. I didn’t know how he was going to react. I didn’t know if he was going throw it back in my face, I didn’t know if giving him a box of chocolate meant anything. “Okay Reth, turn around and open your eyes.”

Reth turned around and his eyes fell on the box of chocolate. His look was one of shock. “Um. You sure about this one, Fancy Pants? Like, I know you're in general really smart, and talented, and cool—”

“Zeki told me to give you this box. Told me it was my crash course on the courtship rituals you have here. I thought it was because he overheard my conversation with Hassian…”

“Oh—OH! Hassian? You two are that close already?”

“Reth, I don’t want to go into the incident with Hassian, let’s just say this, he made his interest in me blatant, and he overstepped. I honestly don’t know what I’m doing with any of this. I’m not well versed in courtship, dating, any of that fucking shit.” I said as I ran a hand through my hair. “I’m just trying to show you I like and care about you. I hoped the chocolate might make you smile.”

“Okay, I already know we're going to end up talking about Hassian later,” Reth said, through a clenched jaw before he relaxed. “I’m genuinely confused. You are way, way, way out of my league. I don’t think there’s anyone in all of Palia worthy of you. Especially not me. You’ve only been here like a week. I’m truly baffled.”

“It’s okay Reth, I’ll just take it back. I’m sorry.” I said as my hands closed around the box of chocolates, but Reth’s hand slammed down on the box causing me to jump.

“Wait, wait, wait. Not so fast, Fancy Pants. How much do you like me? Is it a little? It is a lot?”

I looked at Reth, I had tears in my eyes. I was upset. “Reth, I saved your life. If I didn’t like you, do you think I would have done that? Do you think I would’ve gotten so torn up over when told me about your sister, and saw with my own eyes what you went through and still go through to make sure she doesn’t die? Yes, I like you a lot, Reth. I admire the fucking hell out of you. You are this amazing, caring, and hilarious Majiri man I’ve gotten to know over the week. Who has taken the time to listen to me through everything. I just don’t understand the logistics of your culture yet, if you feel I’m out of your league, I guess I’ll just have to take your word for it.” I said as I secured my grip and pulled on the box of chocolates. Reth, however, wouldn’t let it go. He made eye contact with me.

“So, you like me a lot. Cori, you said you needed more time last night to ‘figure things out’. It’s been less than a day and you give a box of chocolates. Usually, when people say they need time, they mean a month or two, not sixteen hours.”

“How was I supposed to know that a box of chocolates was like a marriage proposal? Zeki suggested I give it to you.” My hands were still on the box of chocolates.

“It’s not. It isn’t,” Reth said, as he let out a laugh. I looked at him with a look of disbelief. “I swear it’s not, Fancy Pants. I just—I don’t want to push you. I don’t want you to feel anything for me. It makes my life a bit simpler, and I don’t deserve the attention of someone who can change the world with her voice, intelligence, and bravery.” Reth then gave a small yank on the box. “Let go of the box, please? I will gladly accept your affection for me. I’d be a fool not to. I like you a lot, like, a lot a lot.”

“I’m so fucking naïve I’m sorry,” I said, as I finally let go of the box of chocolate.

“Naïve wouldn’t be a word I would use to describe you. Have you not been paying attention to anything I’m saying?” Reth said, as he pulled the box of chocolates off the counter and put them in his backpack.

“I can say the same damn thing about you though. Everything I tell you goes in one ear and out the other. How are you feeling by the way?”

“As well as can be expected,” Reth said, as he turned his attention to a saucepan and stirred. “Like utter ormuu shit that’s been left out to rot in a fertilizer bin. I need to get this food done.”

“Are you sure you should be using your hand with the broken fingers? What are you making?”

“Nunya,”

“Reth…” I saw right through his play.

“Stuff for you for later. I heard you covered for me at the Inn. You’ll receive a letter from me with all this food I’m making for you. You deserve a meal fit for a queen.”

“It honestly was nothing. Nai’o said he wanted to talk to you too. Oh shit, Nai’o! Reth, do you have the time?”

“It’s quarter to six. I take it he asked you to help with something?”

“Yeah. I'm supposed to meet him at 7 at Mirror Pond.”

“I think I overheard Dalaila talking about leaving Nai’o to watch the farm while they went to some competition in Bahari City. Maybe he just needs something for a recipe or something, ya know, for the competition.”

“Do you know when the competition is taking place?”

“Hm. Nope. Might want to ask Nai’o when you see him.” Reth said, tending to some things on the stove.

“Do you know anything about that piano sitting over there?”

“Yeah Zeki bought that from Ashura a while back and when we did the remodel for the underground he set it over there and put the record player on top of it. I sometimes find people plunking keys on it, but yeah, why do you ask?”

“Can I check it out? Also, if you do happen to show up at the Inn tomorrow, Ashura wants to audition me. I see it has wheels on it too.”

“Go ahead, knock yourself out. Fancy Pants.”

I nodded and headed straight for the upright piano. I pulled out the bench and retracted the cover for the keys. It was in pretty good condition. I pressed the middle ‘C’ key and it sounded right before I ran my fingers up and down the keys. There were a few out-of-tune notes, but all the keys I tested sounded like they worked, there were no stuck keys or any of that. I then started playing some simple chords and found something that reminded me of a song.

“I didn’t know you could play.”

“Um. I vaguely remember playing in my previous life. I’m just playing whatever comes to my mind. Don’t mind me, please.” I said as I kept playing this certain chord progression over and over again. A melody started to materialize, and soon lyrics did too.

“The world was on fire, and noone could save me, but you…”

I knew the song was called Wicked Game. I couldn’t remember who sang it though. The lyrics and melody flowed from my lips like honey. Smooth, sweet, and full of emotion.

I was so into the song, I had blocked everything else out. When I had played the last chord in the song, I felt arms encircle my waist, and something wet on my shoulder. Reth had completely broken and was inconsolably crying. I turned myself around on the bench and threw my arms around the man.

“Reth! I didn’t mean to make you cry…oh my—I got lost in the song. I’m sorry.”

There were no words, just choking sobs that shook the man who was in my arms. It took some time before Reth eventually calmed down.

“You should play that song tomorrow. Ashura will probably bawl like a newborn baby when he hears it.”

“How are we going to get the piano over to the Inn though? You’re in no capacity to lug a 500-pound piano around sir.”

“You’re seeing Nai’o tonight, right? Send him over.”

“But you’re cooking, and I thought you didn’t want to see him—” Reth shot me a look that made me quickly backtrack on what I was saying. “Okay, I’ll let him know.”

“Good. I should probably let you go and tend to the food before it burns. But damn, did I need this hug. I don’t want to let you go.”

“Me either, but you’re cooking, and I have somewhere to be.”

“I know Fancy Pants, go, before I change my mind.”

“Okay,” I said, as Reth finally released me from his embrace. I turned around and put the key cover back on the piano before grabbing my backpack and waving bye to Reth. Taking Zeki’s shop entrance to the underground, I raced over to Mirror Pond. I saw Nai’o as I approached, and it looked like he was skipping rocks. I smirked at the child-like innocence Nai’o seemed to have. I heard him mumbling to himself as he skipped rocks across the pond.

“Come on, Nai’o, get it together. You can totally be in two places at once. You’ve just gotta think positive!”

“Hey Nai’o! You good?” I said, drawing his attention to my approach.

“Huh? Oh! Hey, Corinth. Didn’t see you there. Nothing’s wrong. Why would you think something’s wrong?”

“You aren’t very subtle. Nai’o, tell me what’s wrong?”

“Really? I thought I was doing a good job hiding it, but I guess you’re right. I might have messed up a teensy tiny little bit.”

“Okay? So, what’s up?” I asked, looking up at Nai’o.

“So, you know how Kenyatta and I are… y’know. The thing is. I got these tickets to a concert in Bahari City that she’s been talking about for ages. But…my mom asked me to help her out with a pie competition in the city. And it’s on the same day as the concert!”

“Oh, yeah, I can see where that might be an issue. How can I help though?” I said, letting out a chuckle.

“I feel bad asking you for the second time, but…I guess we could dress you up like me- no, that won’t work. Oh! Mom wanted me to pick up some ingredients for the competition. She’s making her Cottagecore Pie this year. If you could help me out with that, I can prepare things early and make it to the concert on time.”

“Okay,” I said, what ingredients do you need?”

“All I need is some garlic, potatoes, meat… and our special ingredient, anchovies. That’s a Daiya family secret, so don’t tell my mom I told you, okay?”

“My lips are sealed. Your secret is safe with me.” I said, looking up at him. “But can I ask for a favor in return?”

“Anything, anything at all!”

“There’s a piano in Zeki’s underground. I need it moved back to the Inn. I have an audition tomorrow and I could use that piano.”

“Say no more. I’m sure Hassian will give me a hand…um…how is Reth? I’m assuming you’ve seen him?”

“He’s had better days; you’ll see him when you get the piano. Perhaps you can smooth things over with him.”

“Yeah, yeah, I can do that. Let me finish up the last bit of chores I have, then I’ll get right over there.”

“Thank you Nai’o! I’ll make sure to get you your items by sunup tomorrow. I’ll see you around.” I said as I began to walk away. “Corinth, um. I was wondering maybe, after I get back from the concert if you’d like to hang out or something.”

“When is all this happening?”

“Next weekend. I mean if that doesn’t work for you...I’m sure we can hang out some other time...”

“I’m cool with that. I’ll be busy the next couple of days, but I’ll try to stop by the farm when I get some free time.”

“Wonderful! I’ll see ya around!”

“Yep!” I said as I walked away. I could feel Nai’o’s eyes on me as I decided it was probably time to find Chayne. So, I sought him out.

I found him at the Inn. “Hello Corinth how are you adjusting to life in Kilima?”

“Adjusting as well as I can be. A bit overwhelming at times, but I’ve been meaning to talk to you about my dreams, and about this test Eshe has given to me.”

“Ah yes. Are you willing to go for a walk? I can show you how to pray at the temples.”

“Yeah, I’m down.”

“Good. Let’s head out.” Chayne said as he finished his tea, setting the empty clay cup on the counter. We walked out of the Inn together. “Ashura was telling me that you and Reth have gotten close over this past week…have you seen Reth since you left with Hassian?”

“Yeah, I found him cooking up a storm.”

Chayne laughed at this. “That sounds like him. Reth cannot seem to take the time out to rest, no matter how many times I have told him that rest does a body good…”

“It goes in one ear and out the other…I know.”

Chayne smiled. “While we’re talking about relationships, I just want you to know that you have complete control of your bodily autonomy. If you ever feel uncomfortable you have the right to say no and be respected. As Hassian and Sifuu’s Shepp, it falls on my shoulders if they fall out of line. I do not excuse Hassian for his actions earlier today. I had a stern talk with Hassian and gave him a book about Majiri Customs for Courting. I’m afraid his last relationship has clouded his mindset on how to approach new romantic ventures. While we're by the library, why don’t you run inside and grab that book.”

“Oh yeah,” I said, as we were right by the library, so I dipped inside and approached Caleri.

“Hey Caleri! Did Hassian leave a book for me?”

“He did. I didn’t think you and him were to the courtship stage, however. You have only been here a little over a week.”

“Tell me about it, but I’ll take this from you,” I said, as I went to grab the book Caleri had graciously placed on her counter, but she put a hand on it.

“Corinth, if I can offer some advice. Don’t let the boys in this village rush you into anything. Take your time. Whispers are going around about you, and they don’t put you in a good light.”

“Really? Also, for your clarification, it’s not just the boys.” I said, as my eyes averted to Jina. Caleri’s eyes widened in shock, and she gasped. She let out a quick breath and composed herself.

“Yes, really. Take everything Chayne says tonight to heart. Everything in that book as well. He’s the sage in this village and he’s highly respected. I just don’t want you to develop the reputation a certain witch in the woods of Bahari has. Take things slowly. We have customs for a reason.” Caleri said as she removed her hand from the book.

“Okay.” I said as I pulled the book off the counter. “Thank you.”

“Mmhm,” Caleri said slightly bowing her head. I walked out of the library and Chayne was still there, waiting for me.

“While you were inside, I took the liberty of running up to my house to grab this for you. Sifuu asked that you receive it.”

“Oh the—thanks.” I said as I quickly grabbed the tincture of salve from Chayne and slipped it into my backpack.

“You’re very welcome. Did you need directions for its use?”

“You put it on like lotion correct?”

“That is correct. Once or twice daily until it heals. I would recommend that to stay away from tight-fitting clothing and avoid any more contact of that nature until it heals.”

I blushed deeply. “Will do.”

“So tell me about this dream you alluded to in Hassian’s grove.”

I immediately launched into the recollection of the dream and how it happened while we walked to the Dragon Shrine.

“Hm. I believe Embra is trying to use you to get a very important message across. I also understand now why your kind cannot sleep. Did you have any more of those sleeping potions that Hodari gave you?”

“I have four more.”

“Would you be willing to part with one? I would like to see what Tamala uses and see if that is why you were able to pass right out upon drinking it. If Embra is so against your kind sleeping, I would like to think that even the most powerful draught known to Majiri kind wouldn’t work.”

“Sure, I can get one to you sometime tomorrow.”

“Oh there’s no rush, just whenever you have time. Also, if you feel you’re ready to face Embra again, I suggest you drink one of them tonight if you can.”

I frowned. “That dream still haunts me though.”

“She did tell you to see her again. Did she not?”

“Her exact words were ‘Come see me again when you think you can handle more.’ I don’t know if I can at the moment.”

Chayne chuckled. “Yes. You have become a person of great importance since you arrived. If Embra is using you as a vessel, however, it would be wise not to shy away from your calling. The Gods only speak to those who are willing to hear their message, even if it scares us.” Chayne said, as we finally arrived at the Dragon Shrine. “Approach Maji’s statue, kneel in reverence, and tell him you would like to receive his blessing.”

I nodded and approached Maji’s statue and kneeled in front of the statue. “Maji, I would like to receive your blessing.”

The air around me glowed a beautiful blue hue and sparks rotated around me. “Child of Phoenix. You were wise in seeking me out, receive my blessing.” I felt energy strike me like a lightning bolt striking the top of my head, and the electricity spun its way through every single cell in my body. My body buzzed with pure energy. As soon as it started, the glow faded around me, and the sparks disappeared and I felt renewed, and refreshed.

“Whoa, that was trippy,” I said as I pushed myself off my knees back to my feet.

“Wonderful.” Chayne said, as he was packing some herbs into his pipe, and pulled out another little metal contraption that seemed to glow and used that to light his pipe.

“What are you smoking?”

“Would you like some? It’s hashish, but I think your kind calls it either weed or marijuana.”

“Um? We’re visiting temples and you’re getting high?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at the man.

“I find that it mellows me out on evenings like this.”

“Am I stressing you out?” I asked, I was gobsmacked. The smell of the smoke hit my nostrils, and I realized that was in the sleeping potion I had taken. That’s why it smelled familiar.

“No, not at all. I find uses for all the herbs the Gods have bestowed on this planet.”

“Well, that was in the sleeping potion I took.”

“Would you like to try some?” Chayne asked as he held his pipe out for me. I shook my head.

“Maybe for later. I don’t think it’d be wise to do that in a place of worship.”

“Very well. Here. For later.” Chayne said as he reached into his satchel and produced a handful of very generously packed joints and some matches. I was impressed by the quality. They looked like cigarettes with bulbous ends that were twisted closed.

“Have you smoked before?”

“No.”

“Okay, well you light the bulbous end, and instead of exhaling the smoke, you hold it in for as long as you can then you exhale. Also, if your supply ever gets low, come see me.”

I nodded as I threw the joints and matches into my bag. “We are headed to the Phoenix Shrine now, the place you appeared from.”

“Oh, do I say the same thing there but switch Maji to Embra.”

“Indeed, you learn quickly.”

There was that unsettling feeling again. Maybe I should try the weed, just to calm my nerves. “Hey, maybe I’ll take you up on that after all.”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m nervous.”

“Here,” Chayne said, as he held the mouthpiece of his smoking pipe to my lips, before taking out the metal contraption and lit the herb that was inside. I wrapped my lips around the metal mouthpiece, and I inhaled deeply. I filled my lungs and held my smoke-filled breath.

The taste was bitter and herbal. Almost astringent. My cough reflex became too much, and I launched into a harsh coughing fit. Chayne patted my back as the coughing fit ravaged my body. With every cough, my body hummed. Purred? Tingled? Mainly the feeling was in my head, and limbs.

“That might have been too big of a hit.” Chayne said, a smile on his face.

I looked at him, and my vision had taken on a bubble-like appearance. “Whoa.”

“How do you feel?” Chayne asked, his eyes meeting mine.

“I feel like I’m in a bubble.”

“Oh yes. Very normal. Everyone reacts differently.”

“I feel light.” I waved my hand in front of my face and there were trails “Woo.”

“Let’s head to the Phoenix Shrine.”

I don’t know what was in the weed, but I felt all the nervousness leave my body. It was like I could see and feel how vibrant the world had become. It was like I was seeing it all again for the first time but with new lenses. Soon we arrived at the Phoenix Shrine like I had done with the Dragon Shrine. I got down on my knees.

“Embra, I would like to receive your blessing.”

“My Child. It’s time for you to receive my blessing.”

Much like at the Dragon Shrine the air began to glow around me but this time a pink-purplish hue and similarly colored sparks revolved around me. The feeling this time was like a warm sensation starting at the top of my head and wrapping its warmth around each cell in my body. I felt like I could focus more on my skills therefore increasing how fast I could learn to master them.

Maybe…that was the weed talking. I was pretty high as a kite.

“Wonderful. You can come back to each temple every so often now and receive their blessings.”

“I see. Thank you for showing that to me. I greatly appreciate it.” I said as I looked at Chayne.

The Sage nodded. “There is one more task I need you to complete. Please go to Remembrance Garden and pay your respects to those who once lived among us. You can find me at the Inn when you’ve completed that task.”

“Where exactly is that?”

“Keep following this path and you will find it. I have faith in you.”

I nodded. “Okay,” I said as I took a deep breath. “I will see you back at the Inn,” I said, as I jaunted ahead of Chayne.

I took the path out of town and found another path leading up a hill where there were a ton of samara trees planted. I found some incense on an altar in the middle of the garden but figured I would go around and read some of the names written on the various pillars that littered the Garden. It was a sobering reminder that Life was a cycle. We each were born, and we live, but eventually. We all must die.

I didn’t know if the Garden was a graveyard or just a remembrance site. I leaned towards the latter, but I was respectful, nonetheless. I found myself at the center of the garden again and lit the incense with the matches I had on me before heading back to the Inn.

I walked inside slowly and approached Chayne. The sage looked at me awaiting a response. “I visited the garden.”

“Wonderful. And what did you think?” He asked, looking at me.

“It was bittersweet.”

“That is the nature of death. It isn't something to fear, nor something to yearn. It simply is. We remember every soul we've laid to rest. We honor their stories and know that when it comes our turn, we will join them across the Veil. Thank you, Corinth. I will let Eshe know you've completed my task.” Chayne said as he took a sip from his teacup. “Also, if you are ever in need of any guidance or my healing services, all you need to do is ask.”

“Thank you Chayne. I think I’m going to head back to my plot and take one of those sleeping potions upon your suggestion, and see what Embra has for me.”

“Go in Peace, Child of Phoenix,” Chayne said, dismissing me. I walked slowly back to my plot, taking in all the sights and smells around me.

Upon making my way back to my home plot, I filled a glass full of water and I opened the drawer of my nightstand. I grabbed a bottle of sleeping potion. “Okay, Embra don’t fail me now. I know you got something for me.” I said to myself, as I uncorked the bottle and quickly swallowed the contents before washing it all down with the water. I set the bottle down and lay on my bed, waiting for sleep to come for me.

Chapter Text

Maji and Embra are lovers. They don’t have gender. When Gods procreate they create planes of existence for their offspring called canvases. They created the universe which was their home. Soon after Embra impregnated Maji, the Majiri people were born and came into existence. Maji cared for these people, they were their children, but Maji saw Embra wanted something that was their own that they could take care of as well, so Maji impregnated Embra and they created humans in their likeness. Fiery individuals and Embra gave them free will to choose their destinies.

Flow was created by Maji as a way to support his children’s need for energy, for their offspring the Majiri. The Majiri were created in Maji’s likeness. Kind, peace-loving, and respectful of their planet called Miritia. Maji was a very merciful God. They would use a paintbrush and lovingly paint their influence of flow onto the planet where the Majiri needed it most. Maji was benevolent and loved their children dearly.

Embra however, just wanted the humans to know who they were and started getting very frustrated with the fact that these humans were stubborn and wanted to destroy everything they had given them. They had built this thing called the internet, had cars, cut trees down, and built houses with them. A lot of them were overweight by eating copious amounts of food. They were gluttons the lot of them. Nothing was ever good enough either.

A lot of humans were selfish, mean, and careless. Most wanted the whole world for themselves. Soon their discontentment made Embra angry. In a fit of frustration, they pounded their fists against the table and a drop of flow from Maji’s jar ended up landing on the moon in Embra’s canvas. Neither of them seemed to notice it at first. Maji glanced over at Embra “Everything okay?

“Maji! Uh…I’m sorry, I’m so angry, my humans are killing each other. They’re self-destructing, and I don’t know what to do. They’re going to take themselves out soon if I don’t do something.”

“Embra, my love, let me see what’s happening. I’m sure you still have some people on Earth that want to see the best for their people?”

“I just want to keep the good ones and get rid of the rest.”

“Do what you must,” Maji said, as they looked at their lover, they hated seeing them so frustrated.

Embra quickly began scanning the Earth, plucking all the good humans and putting them in a separate container that would capture their souls and keep them frozen in time.

As Embra was doing this, something crazy happened, the earth began showing a purple hue dotted all over the surface, and soon different buildings began showing up on the Earth. Embra was astonished but still kept to the task of selecting the humans they thought could make a difference.

Spacecraft quickly began leaving the Earth, some went to the moon, and others to different parts of the galaxy. Embra glanced at the population gauge; they were over 40 billion now. The Earth they created was only meant for 20 billion and they were just at 10 billion a few decades ago…but how?

That was way more than the Earth could sustain. Embra worked as fast as they could, but soon something tragic happened. The moon, the Earth’s celestial offspring, exploded. Embra froze. “What just happened? Ma—Maji? Uh…”

Maji quickly looked over at Embra’s canvas. The humans blew up their moon!?!?! Both listened intently to the mutterings of the humans. Something about flow farming on the moon…what? Flow? That’s Maji’s paint? Embra shot a worried glance at Maji, but Embra continued their efforts. The earth was pelted by large and small chunks of its moon, and the 30 billion in population dropped down to 10 billion, then 6 billion, to 3 billion, 1 billion, 500 million…

Maji being curious came over to Embra’s canvas and noticed the scene. Maji realized what happened. “Oh no…some of my flow contaminated your canvas my love. Your humans, they are indeed greedy. See? Some flow landed on the moon, and some of it must have splashed onto the Earth. Look here,” Maji said, as they pulled up a chart with years and population numbers as they pointed to certain spots on the chart. “They used it to grow their population, it was 10 billion then 40 billion here, all within a few decades. What year was it for them before the flow?”

“2187, I only saved about 10 million people from the years…” Embra said, as they too pointed at the chart “1977 until the accident in 2188. They were becoming very technologically advanced before the flow but after…” Embra let out a whistle both at the astonishment and intelligence of the humans but also at how fast their numbers were decreasing over the next couple of decades.

336 million, 158 million, 58 million, 27 million…15 million…

“They’re all dying, even the animals are dying…this is my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten angry. The earth is heating up. She’ll suffocate the plants soon with the heat.”

“You did nothing. This was bound to happen anyway, you said so yourself. Hurry love save your work, I’ll see if I can save your canvas.”

Embra did all they could, they managed to save another 5 million souls, but soon Earth was completely void of humans and the planet was too warm to sustain animal life. Some of the plants survived, luckily. The earth was very sturdy and could easily bounce back, even now with its two moons.

Embra had hope, however, if the Majiri were anything like Maji. The canvas might be saved. It was only the year 2400. They would have to wait a short bit before the Earth would be back to itself again. Embra held the jar of 15 million souls and set it to the side.

Meanwhile, Maji sent a call out to his wisest sages to gather 20 million for a pilgrimage. He also asked them to gather one million of each type of animal, some of the plants and about a million of the grimalkin. He waited patiently, placing a kiss on Embra’s forehead.

“It’s okay love. Mistakes happen. Even Gods make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and try not to repeat them.”

“Your people love you,” Embra said, as they frowned. “My humans just started to recognize me when their fates were already sealed.”

“My children will come to love you too. I promise.” Maji said as they held their hand up to Embra’s canvas to see if the earth cooled down enough to allow for life to flourish again. “Earth is not quite ready yet; she’s still running hot.”

He then picked up his flow paintbrush. Embra put a hand on Maji’s. “Love, that caused my humans to kill themselves, how can you be sure your people do not do the same?”

“They’ve lived with flow and existed with it. I like how their system works, but it’s not perfect. A lot of my Majiri have become oppressed and resorted to desperate means, much like your humans. Perhaps your humans and my Majiri can work together and help each other out. Besides your canvas is already contaminated with flow, so this only makes sense.” His jar chimed, signifying it was full of Majiri, creatures and plants ready for transfer. He took the jar off his canvas and sealed it.

“Why are you helping me?” Embra asked, looking at Maji.

“Because I love you and want to see if this will work. How did Earth fare? Did she rebound?” Maji asked as they held a hand over Embra’s canvas. Embra put a hand over Maji’s to get a reading on Earth’s condition. She was a planet, but she too had a life, had a soul, and wanted to provide until her eventual death when the sun would cannibalize her. This was her purpose though, one she did very well.

“She did. I built her strong and she’s no longer being ravaged anymore. Let’s give her a moment though. Let her enjoy being unburdened for a moment.”

“You know my love, this couldn’t have come at a better time, my world was reaching capacity.”

“Where are you sitting at, population-wise?”

“15 billion in Majiri alone, and a total well over 500 Billion living creatures, my world can barely keep up. Granted 20 million isn’t going to do much to lift that burden that Miritia is under. I’m doing my best, but my people aren’t quite as adventurous as your humans are. Your humans were looking out and discovering around their planet and other solar systems. My people just look at the stars and ask for my guidance when it comes to trivial things. Especially about grimalkins…”

“Wait, you have other species?”

“I’ve been busy creating things, honey,”

“Earth I think is ready for a new set of people, these humans were so exhausting. I appreciate the beautiful things they did. They had grown into a technological race from literal caves. Granted they are a selfish lot, but there’s been a lot of great things they’ve discovered and wonderful things they’ve created.”

“Really? Like what?”

“Well, as you said, they explored space, they also created very beautiful music and made a lot of advances on living longer and cured illnesses. They had a beautiful run…oh Maji, I miss them already.”

“Why don’t you take a break from them for a bit and watch what happens I’ll give you some Majiri, Grimalkin, and some of my plants and animals to look after a while before you decide if you want to bring them back.”

“I hope they learn, I can’t have them do this again, it hurts me so much that I created such selfish beings.”

Maji then leaned into Embra’s canvas “Hey Earth, are you ready for more life? I’m ready whenever you are.”

Earth glowed as if giving Maji the go-ahead. Maji whispered into their jar the history of Embra’s planet and asked the jar to take care of it for Embra while the humans Embra hand selected were in a time out.

“Okay, Earth, take two, starting now,” Maji said as he opened his jar and gently sprinkled the contents over the surface.

I awoke to the sound of town bells tolling in the distance. Sunlight filtered in through the windows. I let out a yawn and stretched as I sat up in my bed. I glanced at the homestead clock on my nightstand. It was 6 am. I would need to be at the Inn in an hour so I brushed my teeth, and hair, washed my dirty clothes from the day prior, and watered my crops before promptly taking off out of the gate and raced over to the Inn.

To my surprise, Reth was walking up. “Fancy Pants! Good morning.”

“Good Morning! Shouldn’t you be—”

“You know I never rest. I’ve been injured way worse than this…”

“Reth, you need to take care of yourself.”

“No can do, did you get my letter?”

I realized I had plumb forgotten to check my mail in my flurry to get to the Inn. I’m sure I had a stack of letters just waiting to be read. I frowned. “I forgot to check my mail…shit.”

“No worries. Come on, I’ll walk you in.”

“Okay.” I said as we walked together into the Inn. I was surprised to see Chayne, Kenyatta, Jel, Tish, Badruu, Dalaila, and Nai’o sitting around at the various tables. I stopped in my tracks.

“Word travels fast ‘round here don’t it?” I heard from behind me. I turned around and came face to face with Hodari. “But I think I already done told you that.”

“Why is almost the whole village here?”

“We all heard ‘bout that golden voice of yours, I had’ta come hear it for myself. Might be the whole village actually if they got the same letter I did. I saw Kenli, Eshe and Hassian making their way over too.”

My heart leapt into my throat. “You’re joking.” I deadpanned. “Where’s Najuma?”

“I’m as serious as a heart attack.” Hodari said, as he saw my expression. “Ya look like a scared sernuk. I take it you didn’t get Ashura’s letter then. Najuma’s upstairs with Auni.”

“Ashura sent a letter?”

“Yeah, invited the whole town to come out and watch your audition. You didn’t get it?”

“The one morning I don’t check my mail…” I said through a clenched jaw. I was kicking myself mentally. I drew in a breath. Reth had come back to my side, seeing my panic.

“Fancy Pants, you all right?”

I let out my breath and shook my head. “You could’ve mentioned Ashura invited the whole village…”

“Yeah, that’s kind of why I asked if you got my letter, you would’ve seen his too.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You’re not helping right now.”

“Sorry. Did you want some water?”

“If you got anything stronger, that might help.”

“Don’t think drinking before your audition will help you out any, I’ll come back with some water.” I wanted to smack Reth, but both Jel and Tish approached me.

“Corinth, I tuned the piano for you. It should be good to go! I had to ask Caleri for a book about how to tune and care for a piano and well Caleri had to ask Jina, because she had nothing in her library about pianos, can you believe that? Jina found something in hers. It took me all night to fashion all the tuning forks and tools, but I did it.”

I caught something out of my peripheral vision. Jel brought his foot down Tish’s foot then turned to her. “You did? I think you mean ‘we’. I remember distinctly staying up all night making sure the turning forks were the right pitch.” Jel said, clearly irritated with Tish. Both looked like they lacked sleep. “Not to mention having to fashion new felt hammers for some of the keys.”

Tish shrugged meekly. “Okay, we made sure the piano was back in good condition. I’m sorry. Lack of sleep does things to a woman.”

“Who brought it to the Inn?” I asked, my eyes switching between the two of them.

“Ashura, Nai’o, Hassian, Zeki and myself. It was quite…” Jel started before letting out a huge yawn. “My apologies… it was quite entertaining watching the three of them lug that piano up the path,” Jel said, as he took off his glasses, grabbing a handkerchief from his vest, and started wiping down his glasses.

“Well I appreciate everyone’s efforts, now hopefully, I can knock this audition out of the park. Speaking of which, where is Ashura?”

“He’s taking a nap upstairs, Auni and Najuma went to wake him up as soon as you came in. So hopefully that is going—”

“Auni Daiya! Najuma Pavel! You take these stink bugs out of my room this instant!” Ashura’s voice bellowed from upstairs. There were the sounds of mischievous laughter from Auni and Najuma before the sound of a small explosion shook the second floor. Ashura coughing and retching could be heard. Nai’o quickly shot up to his feet and raced up the stairs of the Inn. Followed by Hodari.

“Auni! You didn’t—"

“Najuma! What in tarnation—"

“Oh no…” I lamented as I wiped my hand down my face.

My eyes scanned the room as I quickly found the piano. I quickly stretched my hands out and stepped toward the instrument, but another voice interrupted me. “Auni’s at it again I see.” I looked back to see Hassian standing there, shaking his head in disapproval. “I distinctly told him to stay out of trouble last night,” Hassian said before his eyes met mine. “Good morning, Corinth.”

“Good morning. Najuma’s with Auni too.”

“Oh no…” Hassian said, as sounds of Auni and Najuma running upstairs laughing while Nai’o, and Hodari chased after him made me laugh.

“I’m going to help Nai’o get a hold of Auni, good luck, I look forward to your audition,” Hassian said as he moved passed me and made his way up the stairs of the Inn.

“Well, there’s the star of the hour! Break a leg kiddo! I can’t wait to see what you got in store of us!” Sifuu said as she greeted me while entering the Inn. There was the sound of something breaking upstairs. “Oh boy, that doesn’t sound good.”

Today was just not going my way. Just as the ruckus upstairs was hitting a fever pitch, Kenli and Eshe came in.

“Oh my. What is all that noise?” Eshe asked as she looked up at the ceiling. Seeing Eshe come in, Dalaila shot to her feet and practically ran up the stairs. I had never seen that woman run the whole nine days I had been here. So, this was a first for me. Clearly, Hassian and Nai’o did not have a handle on the situation as smaller explosions could be heard and felt.

“Najuma Pavel! Get down from there!” I heard Hodari bellow.

“Okay, I’m gonna go and play something. Perhaps that will reel in all the chaos that is upstairs.” I said, before bowing my head. “Good morning Eshe and Kenli. Sorry I can’t stay and chat, but people need distraction.”

I promptly went over to the piano, sat down, and practically threw up the key cover. I was about to start playing but…

“AUNI DAIYA AND NAJUMA PAVEL! BOTH OF YOU MARCH DOWNSTAIRS RIGHT THIS MOMENT. AUNI, YOU ARE IN BIG TROUBLE YOUNG MAN!” I jumped at the sound of Dalaila’s booming voice. Suddenly Dalaila came down and pulled on Auni’s ear, while Hodari came down with Najuma over his shoulder. The older man looked like his back was going to give out.

“Ow, ow, ow! Mom let go!”

Dalaila ignored her son, as Nai’o and Hassian came down, both looking ashamed. I’m sure both of them were going to hear an earful once everything was said and done. I began playing the piano, just playing chord progressions to warm up my fingers. Reth came by with a glass of water and I nodded in acknowledgment. The stairs squeaked as Ashura came down. I concluded as soon as Ashura’s feet hit the ground floor. All eyes were on him.

“Thank you all for coming out. I apologize about the chaos upstairs earlier; Auni and Najuma decided to craft stink bug bombs and wake me up with them.” Ashura said as he let out an uneasy chuckle. “Anyway, thanks for coming to Corinth’s audition for a position as entertainer here at the Inn. Corinth you can proceed whenever you’re ready.”

“Okay.” I said, as I took a deep breath and exhaled it to quell any nervousness I had in the pit of my stomach and launched into Wicked Game. Reth was right, Ashura cried. He did his best to hide it at first, by wiping away his tears but towards the end, he just let it all out. Everyone in the room seemed captivated and moved by my performance. Caleri and Elouisa popped in before I hit the first chorus. After that though, I stopped paying attention. After Wicked Game, I started playing My Immortal by Evanescence. It just seemed natural and even though I had never performed the song it was like something had possessed my fingers, voice, and body. I just somehow knew what to do. Time seemed to slow to a crawl when I played. After I concluded My Immortal, my hands just started playing yet another song, this one a bit more upbeat but there was a gentle hand on my shoulder prompting me to stop. I looked up at who the hand belonged to.

“You are incredible. You got the gig.” Ashura said, “I don’t think I can cry anymore today. You made everyone here cry with your performance. Not a single dry eye in the Inn. Feel free to use the piano anytime you want to practice, but I want to hear more upbeat songs on Friday. I know you got them in you, girl. Let’s give a round of applause to Corinth shall we?”

Everyone who had come to the Inn stood up on their feet and gave me a standing ovation. I humbly bowed my head at the accolades being given to me. I carefully put the key cover back on the piano, stood up, and gave a bow. I suddenly felt exhausted and out of focus. That performance drained me, but before I knew it I had a queue of people waiting to talk to me.

“That was awesome! Sad, but totally awesome! I didn’t know you could play or sing like that Corinth!” Auni said as he ran up to me.

“To be honest, I didn’t know either, until last night.”

“You need to give me lessons! I wanna play like that!” Auni said, before Dalaila came to get him

“Now Auni, let’s not put too much pressure on dear ole’ Cori, she’s still learning too dearie.” Dalaila said, “Beautiful job by the way. Ya had me bawling like a newborn baby lass. I need to get this one home; he’s been up to no good. You stop by if you need some milk or a coupla eggs.”

“Mom…” Auni whined as Dalaila pulled him away.

“Well, mighty wine performance you put on there, Corinth, I don’t think okra’ed as hard even at my own weddin’. I’ll turnip Friday to watch you agrain!” I smirked at Badruu’s food puns.

“Lettuce hope so!” I said, returning with a quip of my own and Badruu laughed.

“Seaweed ya around!” Badruu said, as he followed Dalaila and Auni out of the Inn.

Next in line was Jel. “Positively splendid performance Corinth. I don’t think music has ever moved me as much as those two songs did. Sorrow, unrequited love…” Jel brought out his handkerchief again and blotted away some stray tears. “Come see me when you can, please. It is of significant importance.”

“Thanks, Jel. I will come see you when I have a chance.”

Tish was behind him “That was amazing! I will stop by the Inn every Friday just to watch you play…”

“As will I.” Jel chimed in.

“Ooh! That reminds me. We should go beach combing soon. I’m getting low on pearls to make some details for a new furniture set I’m coming up with…we should totally go together sometime!”

“Yeah, but I’ll be busy for the next couple of weeks with everything going on. I still gotta craft more furniture for my house and officially get settled in, and Hassian still needs me to see what’s going on with Tau.”

“Oh right! Well, whenever you’re free, you know where to find me! Congratulations Corinth.” Tish said, before she wrapped her arms around me. I reciprocated her hug. Jel too came in for a hug of his own before they went back to their respective shops. Kenyatta was next.

“So, uh, that was awesome, but did you have to make me cry? Like, my eyes are going to be blurry now.”

I frowned. “I’m sorry Kenyatta, those two songs are literally all I know so far.”

“But, like, could you teach me that last song? My mom’s got it in her head I should be choosing my path to follow in their footsteps, and honestly, I don’t want to. Maybe music could be my path instead. I don’t know, you can come by town hall later and keep me company, it gets so boring…”

“I totally understand that. My mother wanted me to go to law school, and I didn’t feel like being in a stuffy suit.”

“Wait, you remember your previous life? We so need to talk.”

“Right, I need to expand my house and add a bathroom in.”

“Oh yeah, totally, stop by town hall, I’ll be there, bored out of my mind as usual,” Kenyatta said as she rolled her eyes.

“Okay. See ya later then!”

“See ya.”

Nai’o was next. He too, looked like he was lacking sleep. “Late night?”

“I couldn’t sleep last night Cori, that piano was heavier than I thought it’d be, but totally worth it for you. You knocked that audition out of the park. I even shed some tears, and I’m not one to cry. You have a gift.”

I gave a small smile. “Eh, I try, I’m surprised I even knew those two songs. It must be some repressed memories coming to the surface.”

“Well, it was amazing either way. Uh…you didn’t happen to get the things I requested of you, did ya?”

“I slept last night upon Chayne’s urging of course but as soon as I’m done here, I’ll get right on that for you. Where do I find the anchovies?”

“Oh, usually Bahari Bay rivers. You’ll need some worms though, I think Einar sells them.”

“Yeah, I bought some from him, but I’ll need more. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Again, great job today, I’ll see ya around.” Nai’o said as he waved bye to me.

Next was Jina. “Corinth! That was beautiful, I think I might have found some ancient music books when I was going through my library. I can send them to you.”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

“I’ll do that. Also, I’ve missed you lately.”

“I know, I’ve been busy, and it will probably stay that way for the foreseeable future.”

“I know, but don’t forget about me,” Jina said, her eyes meeting mine. “See you later.”

“See ya.” I said, feeling a bit uncomfortable but that feeling was only going to grow even more as Eshe approached me.

“That was beautiful, you will make a wonderful addition here to the Inn. Speaking about additions, Hassian, Chayne and Jina have all reported back to me that you completed their tests with flying colors. So now all that’s left is for you to prove your generosity. You will need to give five gifts to the people of this village and five gifts to your fellow humans.”

“Sounds easy enough.”

“Good. Then after that, you will need to find a shepp.”

“What does that take? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“The person you choose has to know you and know you can be trusted not to fall away from the virtues of Majri culture. They will be your mentor and guide. They will be responsible for you if an issue were to arise. Not saying it would, but they would be there to keep you in line.”

I nodded. “Okay, who would you recommend?”

“I’ll leave that decision up to you, but personally, I recommend that you and your shepp not be romantically linked—”

“Okay…not sure where this is coming from…”

“Whispers are going around. You and that path traitor, you and Hassian…”

“Okay, I get it. We don’t have paths in my culture. We are able to change our minds on a whim. I honestly feel like Reth is an amazing cook.”

“Well, I can’t tell you who to get close to or not. I would suggest that romantic feelings not be involved when choosing your shepp.”

“I understand,” I said, nodding. So none of the young adults who had shown interest in me were probably not good enough to ask to be my shepp so that left Eshe herself, Kenli, Hodari, Einar, Sifuu, and Ashura. It would make the most sense to make Ashura my shepp. He’s the only one who seemed to take a chance on me. Kenli then approached me and congratulated me on a job well done. All while mentioning something about his lost sandwich.

Following him were Hodari and Najuma. Hodari had a lingering gaze. Both congratulated me before Hodari said he’d be back around lunch after he dropped Najuma off at home.

Next, it was Elouisa. “Your music was beautiful Corinth! It reminded me of the noise I heard coming from the old well. People say the old well is haunted, but I am convinced the "ghosts" are really just Smallfeet. I have heard ruckus coming from those wells that sounds like an underground party.” Elouisa then sighed. “I wish I were invited.”

“Oh, uh. Maybe you should try crashing the party? No harm no foul, right?”

“Oh you might be right, I’ll have to crash the party and see how that goes.”

Underground parties? What was Elouisa on about? I shook my head figuring it was one of Elouisa’s many rantings and rumblings about Humdingers, the Flothman, or one of the other mystical creatures I heard her talk about on various occasions when passing her by.

Caleri was next. “Great job Corinth. I hope you pay no mind to my sister's meanderings. You should stop by the library when you get the chance. I need your help with something.”

“Oh, sure. I’ll stop by when I’m free.”

“Good, see you around.”

Next was Hassian, and my heart was racing, I glanced over at Reth who was making something, but seemed tuned into our conversation.

“That was beautiful Corinth, um, I made you something, to show my affection. Hopefully, it will suffice. I take it you didn’t receive my letter yesterday evening, and that’s okay.”

“My mailbox is probably overflowing with all the mail I’ve received. I slept as soon as I finished Chayne’s requests last night.”

“You were able to sleep?” Hassian asked, before cocking his head to the side. “I thought your kind didn’t sleep.”

“Yeah, whatever Tamala’s putting in her sleeping potions knocks me straight out.”

Hassian’s loving stare quickly turned into a menacing one. His face turned to anger. “Tamala, did you say?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Stay the hell away from her if you know what’s good for you.”

“Hassian, are you okay?”

Hassian then slammed the sandwich on the table in front of me and swiftly marched out of the Inn. “What the fuck was that all about…damn.”

Reth then came over with two piping hot bowls of a different type of soup. “Sit, I know you’ve got to be hungry.”

I glanced around, everyone had cleared out, except me, a few other humans, and Reth.

“Did you just see the hissy fit Hassian just threw?”

“You mentioned Tamala, that’s why.”

“Wait, her and Hassian?” I asked as the realization hit me. Tamala and Hassian at one point in time had intimate relations and knowing what I know about Tamala, probably broke his heart.

Reth nodded, “Not my story to tell. If you want to get closer to him, you might want to ask him about it. Um, I wanted to ask a favor of you.”

I looked at him questionably and raised an eyebrow at him. “Sure?”

“There’s a package sitting at the Fishermen’s Lagoon, it’s been sitting there since about 6 am this morning, I was wondering if you’d deliver it to Tamala for me.”

“Tamala, the same woman who if Hodari hadn’t been there would’ve probably…” I shuddered thinking about it. “The same woman who has affected Hassian so much he smashed a sandwich into this table? The same woman who has a not-so-good reputation with Caleri? Why?”

“I know she’s brazen, but I made a cake and it’s sitting out there in the hot sun. I obviously can’t go cause I’m here at the Inn. I promise I’ll make it worth your while. I just can’t be in two places at once.”

I let out a breath. “Fine, but I swear she even tries to touch me…” I tapped the bow on my back.

“Fancy Pants, you don’t need to resort to violence…Tamala can be…persistent but she’ll respect it if you say no.”

“Really? I recall two nights ago, this bow saved you…also if Hodari wasn’t there, she would’ve tried something.”

“Okay. Okay. Let’s change the topic. I don’t want you getting worked up. I made us some Ramen, it’s a new recipe I’m trying and if you like it, you can buy it from me to make it yourself.”

I nodded before taking the chopsticks, fumbling them first but quickly picked up how to use them and began slurping the noodles carefully. It was good. The tea egg was a nice touch too, and the thinly sliced chapaa meat was fabulous. “Is there nothing you can’t cook? This is seriously good. How much for the recipe?”

“I’m glad you like it. Just a hundred gold. You also have the oven and stove recipe available too if you want it.”

“Here’s 500 gold, give me all the recipes.”

“Even my loaded potato soup recipe?”

“Yeah,”

“But…when will I see you? I can’t have you making your own soup…”

I let out a snort of amusement. “There comes a time when the apprentice outgrows the master.”

“Fine. Let me grab my recipe book and give you a copy of those recipes. When you come back I have something to give you anyway.”

“Sounds good,” I said before tipping the bowl back and drinking down the rest of the broth. Reth had finished before me and grabbed me copies of the recipes. I put them in my backpack. “So, Fishermen’s Lagoon?” I asked, and Reth nodded.

“Yeah it’s by one of the fishing and tackle stands. Please make sure it gets to Tamala safely.”

“I will. I’ll probably get some other things done while in Bahari as well. So, I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“Take your time, there’s no rush. Except for Nai’o’s thing.”

“Okay, well I should probably head out and get started huh.”

“See ya later.”

I made my way back to my house, to check my mail. Sure enough, there were a ton of letters.

Reth gave me a ton of food for my travels. I stuck everything in my backpack. There was Ashura’s letter about my audition, one from Tish saying she had new furniture recipes for me, I would have to see if I could complete my glider by seeing if Tish could sell me some leather, and there was a letter from Hassian.

Something about meeting him under the stars in his grove. I stuck the letter in my backpack. I checked all the other mail, and there was nothing notable. I grabbed the other supplies I needed for Najuma’s glider and headed out of my plot.

So to Tish’s furniture store, I went.

“Corinth! How are you?”

“I’m good. I was wondering if you had any leather and fabric?”

“Of course! How many did you need?”

I pulled Najuma’s list out of my pocket. “Two fabric and five leather.”

“I also have a fabric loom recipe for you, did you want it?”

“Yeah, please.”

A little over 1000 gold later, I had a recipe for a fabric loom, recipes to make leather, and fabric, two bolts of fabric, and five pieces of leather, as well as recipes to make some furniture from the Industrial set. My bag was getting pretty full, but I was convinced I could probably get the package in there.

I bid Tish goodbye, but she stopped me. “Hey, if you happen to see Reth, can you let him know we need to talk. I saw his state, I don’t know how he got that way. I feel like my own brother has become a stranger.”

“I will Tish.”

The next stop was Fisherman’s Lagoon, and I found the package, and while I was there, I managed to buy more worms from Einar. My coins were looking a bit low. With the package in my backpack, I went to Bahari Bay and found Tamala standing in a clearing between Proudhorn Pass and the Outskirts.

It was late afternoon before I got to Tamala.

“Hey Tamala, I have a delivery for you.” I said, as I pulled off my backpack and pulled out the package before handing it to her.

“Well, well, well. You aren't who I was expecting. Picking up some odd jobs from Zeki, hmm?” Tamala purred, as she took the package from me.

“I already know Reth works for Zeki, I’m just doing Reth a favor, since he’s at the Inn for his shift.” I said simply, as I closed up my backpack again before slinging it back on my back. The way Tamala was looking at me, didn’t go unnoticed by me.

“What a good friend you are! Why, I could use a helpful, discreet friend like you too. I can think of so many uses for you...” I rolled my eyes at the woman.

“What's the deal between you and Hassian?”

“Oh, getting close to Hassian, and Reth? Hm…I wonder what else you’ve been up to my dear.”

“There’s a lot of people who want to get close to me Tamala. You included. If you don’t want to tell me that’s fine, I’m sure I can get the story from Hassian.”

“Look, I needed a man, not some sensitive boy like Hassian. The attention was great, but he was like a lost puppy.” Tamala then cleared her throat. “Hm. My throat is scratchy. You wouldn’t happen to have some spice sprouts on you, do you?”

“I do.” I said pulling off my backpack and pulling the spice sprouts out of it. “Who broke things off?” I asked, hoping to pull the story out of Tamala, but I knew she was too wise for that.

“Who do you think? I swear, you’re as dense as a stone. If you want any more information, I’m more than willing to fix some spice sprout tea, but again, my information isn’t free. You’ll need to pay…”

“I’m good.” I said as I handed over the spice sprouts. “Hope your throat feels better.” I said as I turned around and headed back toward the path.

“Wait! Corinth…”

“Tamala I have other things to do before it gets much later. So, if you need me, send me a letter.” I said, looking back at the woman before trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

I then made my way to Hodari’s place, to hand all the things to Najuma. She was standing by the lake, skipping rocks. I greeted her and told her I was there with the ingredients for the glider. The girl was quick with her hands, in mere minutes she had a glider all ready to go for me.

“There. Um, just let me know if anything goes wrong, or it suddenly falls apart, or something. But I wouldn't worry! I've worked out most of the kinks already.”

“Okay,” I said, as I jumped out and pulled out the glider. It worked amazingly. “I’m gonna get some good use out of this. Thank you Najuma…”

“You’re very welcome!” I then put a hand on Najuma’s shoulder. “Hey, I know you mentioned you and your dad don’t get along sometimes, if it becomes too much, you can come to see me. I know your dad means well, but maybe I can talk some sense into him for you. You are brilliant.”

“Thanks Corinth! I should probably head back to my house. See ya later.” Najuma said as she began making her way back into the house.

I watched Najuma walk away, making sure she made it to the workshop safely before I decided to try out the new pickaxe. I started mining stone and iron nodes and using my wood axe to chop down heartwood trees. A shiver ran through me as the sun began to set. I pulled off my bag and looked through it for my cloak. I couldn’t find it.

“Fuck.” I muttered, as I racked my brain to figure out where I last had it. Oh, that’s right, I left it in the underground. I frowned and put everything back in my bag. I would have to power through, at least until I knew Hassian was back in his grove.

I continued mining, fishing, and foraging until my bag was almost filled with Iron, Stone, a few pieces of gold, and a handful of oily anchovies. Darkness had completely fallen. I then made my way to Hassian’s Grove. I knocked on the door and he opened it; he seemed a bit surprised to see me.

“You're here. Does that mean you've decided to give me another chance?” He asked, his eyes meeting mine.

I nodded. “You never lost the first one Hassian. Although you could’ve approached things a bit better, I’ll admit.”

“I find that hard to believe. I've been nothing but dismissive and cruel for as long as you've known me. You matter more to me than I can properly express. My actions earlier were thoughtless and callous.”

“All is forgiven Hassian. I can’t stay mad at you.”

“Good, I hope this gift makes my feelings clear. I know I tried giving you one earlier, and my anger got the best of me. I thought I blew it. Again, I apologize, and I just want to make things right with you.” With that, Hassian gave me another sandwich, wrapped in parchment paper.

“It’s…another sandwich?”

“Made from things I grew and caught myself, yes. Will you accept it?”

“Of course. I was honestly a little hungry.” I said, as I unwrapped the sandwich and took a hearty bite.

“Good,” Hassian said as he let out a small chuckle. “You haven’t read the book yet, have you?”

I quickly chewed my bite before I shook my head and swallowed. “I haven’t yet.”

“You need to. I would invite you inside, but it’s not appropriate. Please make it home safely Corinth.” Hassian said as he shut the door in my face. I was once again confused at how quickly he could flip like a switch. One minute, kind and caring, the next, cold and as he said, callous. I let out a breath and decided to sit at the pond in front of Hassian’s grove and take in the scenery as I finished the sandwich Hassian made for me.

Do I confront him? You know what? No. I still have the book, and Hodari’s house isn’t too far away, he should be there. Maybe I could pick his brain about what’s been going on lately. He might have some good advice for me.

Chapter Text

The walk to Hodari’s was a cold one. By the time I made it, I was full-on shivering. Hodari saw me, and his eyebrows pulled together in a look of disappointment. “Corinth? What’re you doing here at this hour? Come inside, and warm up. It’s a cold one tonight. I have leftover sernuk noodle soup if ya want it.”

“Oh, no thank you, but yes, I need to warm up,” I said, as I rubbed my hands over my arms, hoping the friction would warm me up.

“What’re ya doing in a mini skirt and a crop top? Where’s your cloak?” Hodari asked as he looked me over before waving me inside.

“I left it back in Kilima,” I said, as I took his cue and walked past him.

“Well that ain’t doing ya any good there…come in, sit at the kitchen table and I’ll stoke the fire,” Hodari said, as he followed me inside. He moved to the furnace and threw a few more logs on. “So, uh, what brings you out here this late?”

“Hassian, Nai’o, and Reth. Ugh, Hodari my head is a mess. I don’t think I’ve been hit on so much, I just want to please everyone, and it seems to be awakening a lot of hidden things in myself that I didn’t even know were there. I’m being bombarded and I don’t know how to deal with it all.” Hodari, used a fire poker and moved some logs around in the furnace. He quickly got everything in the furnace before he shut the metal door and put the poker back in its holder before walking over to the kitchen table and taking a seat adjacent to me.

“Whoa, slow down there. One thing at a time. What’s been goin’ on?” Hodari asked, his eyes full of worry.

“Everyone seems interested in me. Hassian, Nai’o, Jel, Tish, Reth, Kenyatta, Jina, Tamala...honestly. I’ve found myself wanting them back too. Like…what is wrong with me? Then I got Embra appearing in my dreams when I took the sleeping potions you gave me. I saw the human race die; I saw what happened, Hodari. It was like I was watching both Maji and Embra react in real time. I heard their voices. It was all because of flow.”

“Well, that’s a given.”

“I know how your kind came to be, I know how we came to be. I don’t know why I’m here though. Why did Embra bring my kind back? She seemed pretty pissed we destroyed ourselves.”

“You certainly are somethin’ Corinth. Embra chose you, so you can’t run away from your callin’. Any more than I can run away from being a miner. Everyone is pulled to ya, like moths to a flame. They can sense your purpose, and they want to be a part of that I think. Whatever that purpose is.”

“What do I do? Do I just go with what my heart tells me? Or do I exercise caution?”

“What does your heart tell you?”

“To accept everyone’s affections for me…as much as they are drawn to me, I’m drawn to them too. I got a book on Majiri Courtship Rituals. I should probably read that. I didn’t date much in my previous life.”

“Oh, that’s right, you mentioned you had no interest in anyone, but you do now?”

“Exactly. As I said, my interactions have awakened something inside of me. So, I got some reading to do. Especially if I’m going to reciprocate, ya know?”

“Let me get you something warm to drink, you still look cold.”

“You don’t have to…actually, did you want some food Reth made for me? My bag’s overflowing.”

“Sure,”

I pulled out some peach buns, and some Akwindu chapaa stew and set them on the table. Hodari immediately grabbed one of the peach buns and sank a large bite into it before he got up and began making some kind of tea. I opened the book Hassian had dropped off for me.

A Step-by-Step Guide To Courtship

Only the crudest of Majiri would engage in a new relationship without following these important steps. By engaging in the proper rituals, you ensure that your new union will be blessed by society and the Dragon.

When initiating courtship, you must both establish your value to each other. Gifts and acts of service will suffice. While the initial steps of courtship are being followed, it would be most improper for the two potential partners to be seen together at night, especially without the permission of their parents.

Whoever initiated the courtship originally must then decide to take the next step in the relationship. Fetching the Midnight Lily which blooms only in the dead of night and delivering it to your partner will signify acceptance of the courtship. At this point, the two young Majiri may spend time together alone.

I closed the book, just as Hodari set a cup of tea in front of me. “Sweet leaf tea.”

“Oh, thank you. Do you have the time?”

“It’s a quarter past eleven.”

“Okay, I have to find a midnight lily…”

“Oh, um, you can find ‘em by the Daiya’s farm. Leta used to go and gather them. She loved their glow.” Hodari said, as he cleared his throat, clearly it was an uncomfortable topic for him.

“What happened to Leta, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“A mine collapse. I don’t know how it happened, but she and Najuma were exploring the northern mine. She pushed Najuma out of the way, but she was crushed. Najuma lost her leg.” Hodari said, staring down into his cup of tea. “I feel like it’s my fault. Nothin’s been the same since. I miss her. Everything I do for Najuma is to prevent her from becoming like her mother.”

I reached over and grabbed Hodari’s hand. “It’s not your fault Hodari, you couldn’t stop that collapse. Nobody could. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for you. If you ever need anything, just reach out. I’m here if you need me.” I said, making eye contact. He pushed away tears.

“Yeah, I will. You should probably go though. Finish your tea, your window to pick the midnight lily is closing.”

“Okay,” I said frowning. I quickly gulped down the tea. “Thank you for talking to me, and for your hospitality. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t be a stranger, if ya need anything, you come find me. You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you Hodari! Have a goodnight!” I said, as I pulled on my backpack and walked out of his house. I could feel Hodari’s stare on me until I got to the gate.

I quickly ran towards the Daiya’s farm and on the top of the tallest hill behind the teleport, stood a lone midnight lily. Glowing in all of its crimson glory. I took a moment to observe it and listen to its distinct chime before I quickly plucked it and put it inside my backpack.

I figured since I was here, I would see what Nai’o was up to. I saw him at the Ormuu Pen. “Nai’o!”

Nai’o looked in my direction. “Corinth! Hey! It’s a beautiful night, right? How have you been?”

“I’ve been good, I got the stuff you wanted,” I said, as I took out his requested items out of my backpack and handed them to him.

“Oh, my Dragon! You’re a lifesaver Corinth! Everything looks fresh too. This is perfect, Corinth. Thanks. I really mean that. You're a good neighbor. I'll let you know how the contest goes. And here, take these seeds for your trouble.” Nai’o said, as he took the items and looked them over before he handed me a sack full of tomato seeds.

“Nice! Thank you, if you need anything else, let me know!” I said as I began walking away.

“Hey-uh Corinth…um…have you thought about, ya know, hanging out with me when my parents are in Bahari City?”

“Honestly, no. Give me more time huh? I most likely will, but you know, plans fall through, weather changes, ya know, that whole thing. I’m sure we’ll see each other around.”

“Where are you going? If you don’t mind me asking?”

"I was going to turn some assignments in, maybe to talk to Jel…”

“After what he did to you?”

“It’s water under the bridge, Nai’o. I can’t let one little incident keep me away from him, besides he’s apologized.”

“Oh, that’s good. I’d offer to escort you, but I kind of can’t leave the ormuus unattended. Have a good night Corinth, again, thanks for saving my skin, I owe ya.”

“No worries! Goodnight!” I said as I waved goodbye to Nai’o before I headed back into town. I knew it was late, so I figured I’d pop into the underground to see if Reth was there. Sure enough, he was.

“Reth!”

“Oh, hey! Totally wasn’t waiting for you to stop by or anything. Unrelated, but here's a present I just happened to make for you.” Reth said as he pulled out a whole stock pot full of some kind of seafood stew. I took the lid off and smelled it.

“Reth, this smells amazing, what is it?”

“Bouillabaisse. Found it in that cookbook you got me from the library, for some reason I can't quite place it, it reminded me of you. Also, extra unrelated, you look nice today. I’m digging that miniskirt and crop top combo you got going on, and I got something else for you too.” He then leaned in towards me. “You’ll need to follow me first though if you want it.”

“Yeah sure.” I said as I went to grab the stockpot, but Reth shook his head. “You can leave that there.”

I shrugged, leaving the soup pot on the bar counter, and followed Reth to a door I hadn’t seen before. He took out a key and opened the door. I looked up at him, and he glanced at me with a slight smirk on his face. We both entered the room.

There was a modest-sized hallway with various boxes littering the sides, leading to a much larger storage room with a dining table to the left, and a few other dining tables being used as cutting and prep areas. Flour, spices, oil, vinegar, and various other kitchen necessities lined the shelves of the storage room. There was a sink and a prep station as well as a fancy refrigerator.

“Oh my God, you have a fridge?”

“Oh yeah, Zeki managed to get me one to keep the milk, cheese, and other perishables fresh.” I smiled as I looked up at him.

“Can I check it out?” I asked looking up at him. Reth smiled and nodded his head towards it.

“Knock yourself out.” He said, as I quickly opened the fridge to find about twelve bottles of milk, six bottles of heavy cream, various cheeses, five cartons of blueberries, three cartons of strawberries, and two cartons of peppers. I managed to steal a plump-looking strawberry and was about to take a bite, but Reth snatched it from me. “Fancy Pants, what are you doing? You can’t just come in here and eat my stock.”

“I’m sorry. They look so good, I haven’t had a strawberry in well, forever. I like how you organized it all, everything has its place.”

“Thank you…” Reth said as he bit his lip before holding the strawberry to my lips. “Open.”

“But you just said…”

“Ashura can always get more from the farm. If you haven’t had a strawberry from the Daiya family farm, I can indulge you this one thing.”

I quickly wrapped my lips around the large strawberry and took a large bite out of it. It was the juiciest, most succulent fruit I had ever tasted. It was sweet yet had the perfect amount of tartness. A bit of juice slid down the corner of my lip, and I was about to pull away, but Reth’s thumb caught the stray bit of juice before he pulled it away and stuck his thumb in his mouth.

“Mm! That’s so good!”

“Oh yes, that is perfect.” He then pulled the berry away from my lips before devouring the rest of it in a large bite. We made eye contact, and he smirked. There was a glint of lust in his eye. “What?”

“What are you thinking right now?” I half-said, half sighed.

“Fancy Pants, I don’t think you want to know. My mind is a very dangerous place right now.”

“Indulge me.”

“I want nothing more than to pin you to this fridge and kiss you, but it’s far too soon yet. I want to take things slowly with you. You deserve that much.”

I took a deep breath. “You’re right. It is, but it’s not like the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.”

Reth cleared his throat, turned on his heel, and tossed the strawberry stem and leaves away in a garbage bin. Then he dug in his pocket and took out a key. “I’m going to pretend that I didn’t just hear that. Your gift, the key to this storage room. Now you can come see me, whenever you want. Also—” He grabbed my cloak from the coat rack and handed it to me. “You left this here the other night.”

“Cool! Thank you. I can be a bit forgetful sometimes. Surely that’s not everything though right?”

“No, I wanted to take you out on a date. Preferably on your lot, I know Kenli and Eshe put you guys on the old campgrounds to allow you privacy…”

I raised my eyebrow. “Are you saying what I think you're saying?”

“I mean nothing has to happen, but I wanted to spend time with you alone. Get you know you; you know.”

“Get to know me…” I said, in a way that told him I knew what he meant.

“I already said I wanted to take things slowly. I can make you loaded potato soup and some other dishes I’ve been working on,”

“So I’m gonna be your guinea pig?”

“I don’t know what that is, but sure. I’ll meet you at your lot at 6 pm. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

“Now I’m excited,” I said as I threw my arms around Reth.

“I love this,” Reth said as he slinked his arms around me. We held each other in a hug for a bit. Reth’s fingers began swirling circles up and down my back. “Okay, I’m gonna let go now Fancy Pants. I don’t want to tempt myself.”

“That’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow okay?”

“Yes I will see you tomorrow, have a good rest of your night Fancy Pants.”

“I will.”

With that, I went back out through the underground entrance from Reth’s storeroom and put my cloak back on. I grabbed the stock pot full of bouillabaisse and knowing my backpack was completely stuffed, I decided to drop all the stuff off at home, and while I was there, I put together the oven, stove, and a prep station. I checked my inventory and threw anything I didn’t need as well as all the starstones into the selling bin before I checked my mail. There wasn’t anything notable, but it was fine. I glanced at the time it was just past 2 am. Ugh, why did the night seem to pass so slowly?

I knew Jel would still be up, but I also needed to complete Eshe’s last test as well. So, I threw some things in my bag I could give to whoever came by. Pearls for Jel and Tish, plant fiber for Hassian, silk from my new fabric loom for Caleri, Ashura loved salmon so I could go fishing for that, and stone, sapwood, and plant fiber for my fellow humans I came across.

With everything in my bag, I pulled on my cloak and realized it stunk. I checked my coins and I only had like 450 coins left. Not enough to buy a tub, so another pond bath and washing clothes session would have to happen.

I bathed while washing my clothes at the same time, and that’s when I saw it. A blood stain on the gusset of my underwear. Was it from the friction burn? Or something else?

“Oh fuck.”

I put on the ointment Chayne had given me, but when I pulled my hand back, more blood appeared. Did I just…I was on my period. Damn it!

Now everything made sense. It was why I snapped at Hassian, why I was so emotional over Reth. These last few days were an emotional rollercoaster. I quickly hung my clothes up on the tree again. I raced inside and quickly gathered my clean clothes then painstakingly started the process of trying to get a self-insert tampon inside of me.

It was trial and error, and a huge mess but eventually, I got it in where I couldn’t feel it, and still had the string hanging out. I also threw on a pad, just in case. I washed my hands and the apex in between my legs before getting dressed. By then, there was an orange glow on the horizon. I took off out of my gate, determined to meet up with Jel.

I found him by Kilima Lake on the docks furthest south across Fishermen’s Lagoon.

“Good morning Jel, look at that gorgeous sunrise.”

I saw a smile curve his lips. “Indeed, Corinth. I am ever so glad to see you! I appear to have found myself in a bit of an existential conundrum. Eshe has hired me to design her daughter's dress for the Bahari Bay Ball. Everyone who's anyone will be there... including my mother. This could be my chance to finally earn a place among the sea of shining stars that is my family's line. But... it is also an opportunity to be thrown headfirst into the bottomless pit that is my inevitable failure. You see, Kenyatta and her mother have very different visions for what they want in this gown. Eshe, who's technically my client because she's paying, wants something traditional. But Kenyatta, who's the one wearing the garment, wants something more daring. What should I do?”

“Well, I understand Eshe is paying, but Kenyatta’s wearing the dress, so whatever Kenyatta wants should hold precedence over what her mother wants. Between you and me, Eshe seems to be a bit controlling.”

“Oh, you're right. I can't let mere finances dictate my artistic choices. I was wondering if perhaps you might not mind talking to Kenyatta about what she wants for the ball. I would go myself, but I have some work I just can't be pulled away from.”

“Like what, another commission?”

“Namely, your dress.”

“Jel, I’m not even paying for that dress. Eshe paid you, so you need to work on Kenyatta’s dress, hers is more important.” I leaned against the tree. “Look, I’ll talk to her; I have to stop by there any way to see what I can do about expanding my house.”

“Oh wonderful, I hope I’m not putting too much on your plate by doing this, it would be a tremendous help to me.”

I shrugged. “I’m here to help out, also I have something for you.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, here.” I said, as I grabbed a pearl out of my bag and handed it to him.

“Oh my, what a luxurious gift. I shall put it in my pocket for safekeeping. What are you doing right now? Would you mind staying with me a moment longer? Your presence quiets my thoughts.” Jel said, as he too, leaned against the other side of the tree mimicking my pose.

“What are you thinking and why do they need quieted?” I asked, my eyes meeting his.

“The sound of the waves are beautiful, are they not? I've always thought that when I die, I'd like to die by drowning. That way, I'll at least be surrounded by the beauty of the sea when I go…”

“Jel, do me a favor and close your eyes. Can you imagine this? The water is filling your lungs, your chest, nose, and throat, it burns, since it’s being filled and stretched with water and not air. Ever laugh so hard water squirted out of your nose? Imagine that then multiply it fifty times. Now imagine the feeling of every cell in your body screaming for oxygen but never getting it because there is no oxygen being exchanged. Your heart races faster and faster to get every bit of oxygen that is remaining in your body to every cell but eventually, it can’t keep up, being deprived of oxygen as well might I add, and it stops. Imagine an ormuu sitting on your chest. You come to the realization it’s the end, and everything finally goes numb but as your brain begins to shut down, every nerve in your entire body is firing, as it does every last thing to save you. It’s not a painless way to go, Jel. People often think it is, but there is always pain in dying. If you ever need me or need to talk to me before you do or say something stupid like that, come find me. You know where I live.” I said as I finished my tirade in a scolding manner.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just watch the dawn with dread. I awoke this morning to find my mind wrapped in a blanket of melancholy and despair.” He then looked at me and smiled at me. “But I will still I move forward, hoping tomorrow will bring a better dawn. Especially now that you’re here to remind me how painful drowning can be.”

“Jel, you have your whole life ahead of you, you will be the next big Omiata to put his mark on the fashion world here in Palia. Mark my words, you are going to be a star, darling,” I said, emphasizing my last words in a faux-British accent. “Besides, you’re the best-dressed man I’ve seen who can rock pinstripes like nobody else and the looks to match and I want to see more of you around. So please, reach out if you ever have thoughts like that. At least give me a chance to talk you down the proverbial cliff before you jump.” Jel was looking at me like he was starstruck. “Jel? Palia to Jel?”

“Sorry, I heard everything you said, but the halo created by the light hitting your hair is quite exquisite this morning.”

I felt my face heat up and my ears started to burn. “Uh, thanks, I bathed before I got here, so my hair is probably frizzy as fuck.” I said, suddenly feeling self-conscious before running my fingers through my hair and patting down any stray hairs.

“Ah-ah-ah, allow me please?” Jel asked as he gave me this puppy dog expression that I couldn’t say no to.

“Uh, I guess, but wouldn’t you like to sit somewhere?”

“Yes, ah, here,” Jel said as he grabbed a barrel that was next to the tree. “I can stand while you sit on this barrel, you’ll be at the perfect height.” I shrugged and hopped my derriere onto the barrel.

Jel’s fingers felt so warm against my cool scalp. They weaved their way in and out of my hair, and he would occasionally massage my scalp. It felt so nice, yet somewhat intimate, especially when he was smoothing out the hair framing the front of my face. With every stroke, he would caress the backs of his fingers down each side of my face and neck. While he was doing all this he was telling me stories about how he did this for two of his closest older sisters. They were his favorite while his eldest sister was his least favorite. He was the baby in the family, yet the legacy of carrying the family name all fell on him.

He then began playing and massaging my ears. “It is utterly unique the shape of your ears. They are not pointy and long like mine. I wonder if that has anything to do with how you can listen to music and hear the world around you. I often wonder if we can experience things in the same way a lot. The music you play is so complex and full of emotion, it is often rare I hear music that moves me to tears like yours has.” Jel then lifted my hand, so my palm was facing down, and put his beside it. “Even our skin tone varies drastically. The shape of our hands, while you will find Majiri like Tish and Reth who are pink-skinned, most Majiri have purple skin.” Honestly, I loved everything Jel was saying. I found the Majiri race to be the most fascinating.

“I don’t know Jel, the only thing I know is that you are born in Maji’s likeness, while I am born in Embra’s…shit!” What if Embra’s whole purpose was to interlink us together like they were? Was that my purpose? My calling? I mean, Maji and Embra were lovers. What if they wanted us to co-exist in a relationship like that? But wouldn’t that be like incest? In a way? Especially if everything in my dream was true and accurate.

Jel’s hands stopped, and he had his hands on my shoulders. “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

“No Jel, not at all. I just had an epiphany of sorts. I had another dream about Embra and Maji this time. They were lovers. I saw exactly how humans caused their demise. How our population exploded once the flow was accidentally introduced to Embra’s canvas…”

“Corinth, I need to stop you right there. A canvas? Like an artist would use to paint?”

“Yes, very similar, but not at the same time. Embra’s canvas has the universe I existed in on it. Maji had a canvas of his own with your universe on theirs. Maji had this paint called Flow. It gave your planet Miritia a sustainable energy source. Embra gave us ours, via our star which we called the sun, but instead, we used fossil fuels, coal for ourselves. We were bleeding Earth dry of her resources. Maji set his paint down next to Embra’s canvas and in a fit of rage, at us; might I add, they pounded on the table and some of Maji’s flow paint ended up on the moon. The impact sent chunks hurtling toward Earth. By this time, which was past the time I existed, we were discovering space, and had successfully started colonies on other planets besides our own.”

“That is positively amazing.”

“No, because in our greed to get more flow, we ended up blowing up our moon which is why you see two moons at night instead of one.”

“So, if this is Earth, how did the Majiri get here?”

“That’s the beautiful part, Maji brought your kind here to help start over, while Embra, saved as many of us as they could, and put us in a timeout of sorts. A nearly 5000-year time out.”

Jel for the first time, busted out laughing. He was laughing so hard, that he almost fell into the lake, I leaned over to catch him before he fell in. “Oh my Dragon, I’m nearly crying in laughter. That was a very entertaining story Corinth!”

“It’s not a story, it’s the dream I had the night before last. Embra talks to me if I go to sleep. I obviously cannot sleep on my own accord. Hodari gave me five of the sleeping potions he gets from Tamala, and they knocked me out. Chayne told me to take another one to see what happens and that dream is what came out of it. The dream before that, I saw how I died, and the Earth struggling to keep up with our constant demands on it. Embra told me to come back when I felt that I was ready. I haven’t even told Chayne about this last one yet.”

Jel immediately stopped laughing and cleared his throat. “You talked to Chayne? You are serious, aren’t you? My apologies for laughing at you. I do regret my reaction. It just sounded so…”

“Ridiculous? I know, don’t be, if I hadn’t told Chayne, he wouldn’t have told me to keep pursuing it. I know it sounds funny when I tell it, but there is a reason why I feel humans can’t sleep since we reemerged just like how all of us can’t remember who we are before we reemerged. Embra is trying to protect us from repeating our mistakes, but the only way I know how not to repeat the past is the learn about it, so we know what not to do.”

“So everything that Jina has mentioned to me in passing about your kind, it’s true? You explored around your planet, and colonized others?”

“I guess so. In my time, we just landed a few rovers on Mars, put men on the moon, and sent several satellites out in the deep expanses of our solar system. We had internet, cars, computers, AI…”

“AI? What is that?”

“Artificial Intelligence. We could replicate any information we wanted, run complex equations in real-time, program robots and software with it—”

“Robots, like the Gauldurs? Like Einar and Hekla correct?”

“I believe Gauldurs came out of that, yes, but I’m not sure of their complete evolution. I would think the humans who came after me used flow to create more intelligent AI. I don’t know, I don’t know what happened to humans after my time on the earth except that we caused our destruction. A mistake I’m not willing to make twice.” I said, as I hopped off the barrel, the sun had risen and was now fully above the horizon.

“I hope not. I would like to see more of you around too.” Jel said as he repeated my words from earlier before letting out a yawn. “Thank you for your company, please do let me know what Kenyatta says. I must take my leave, it was nice chatting with you, I hope we can do it again soon.”

“Ditto.”

“Ditto?”

“It means what you said before, but right back at you as well. It’s a short, slang word, to agree with everything you said…”

“Oh,” Jel said, nodding. “I understand.”

“See you around,”

“Ditto.” Jel said as we went our separate ways, and a smirk curved my lips. Jel, caught on fast, but my mind quickly fell back upon my epiphany. While I still had time, I decided it would be best to see Chayne and tell him about everything I had experienced, but first, I needed to grab a bottle of the sleeping potion for him before I could do that, I saw Hassian standing next to the one of the windmills.

I grabbed the midnight lily from my back and approached him, but Tau instantly saw me and came running up to me. “Hey, boy! Good morning! How are you?” I asked as I got down on one knee to be at his level.

Tau excitedly jumped up and down and when he settled down, I scratched Tau behind his ears and he nudged his nose into my open hand and dropped some chapaa fur into my palm before barking again. “Oh, thank you, boy! You didn’t have to!”

“What do you want?” Hassian asked as he looked down at me, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Well, good morning to you too, grumpy pants. Perhaps this might make you feel better,” I said as I handed him the midnight lily. Hassian’s jaw dropped, and a look of shock took over his face. “I accept your affections. I know you would like to take things further with me, and I too, find myself curious about you as well. I know we have not followed the guidelines of traditional courtship, but I’m willing to correct that.”

“I know you and I are different. I realize I shouldn't have expected you to understand the Majiri traditions regarding courtship. Yet you still decided to follow it for me. That means quite a bit to me. I don't know how Humans court if I’m being honest. Even some Majiri have stopped caring about our traditions. But you matter too much to me to let such important things slip. If we are to be together, then I want no one, land or sky, to oppose our union. Perhaps you think I am strange or rigid...but still, you gave me this lily. You accepted that part of me as well. Thank you for that Corinth.”

“Okay, but union? Are we a couple now, or…I still don’t fully understand how all of this works. I’m interested in you, but I also like Reth, and Jina kissed me, I might have a thing for Jel, Tish, and Kenyatta, let’s throw Nai’o in there as well. I know you like me Hassian, and I like you, but shouldn’t we slow down? I feel like we’re taking this at a blinding speed.”

“Corinth, we’re out in the open, this is not the place for this conversation. I will give you more time if that’s what you need…”

“Well, kind of, Aunt Flow came knocking this morning…”

“Aunt Flow? You have family?”

“No Hassian. I don’t know what you call it here, but I’m menstruating, on the rag, that time of the month, on my period, even if you wanted to take things further with me physically, we can’t. I don’t think you’d want to do all that while I’m bleeding.”

“Oh-oh! My apologies.” Hassian’s face was a dark-violet hue; he stepped in further and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Did you need anything for it? Pads, tampons, sweets?”

“No, I’m set for now. Just letting you be aware in case things happen to become physical, which I’m sure they will in the future. Just give me like five or six days and send for me then.”

“I will. Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

“If you don’t see me for a day or two, come find me, I’m tough. I need to go see Chayne though. I will come to talk to you later.”

“Okay, for pain management?”

“No about the dream I had the night before last.”

“Let me walk you, Tau, come along,” Hassian said, as he looked down at the midnight lily in his hand and brought it to his nose. “This is beautiful. How did you find it?”

“Hodari told me his late wife used to look for it and told me where to find it.”

He looked at me. “You and him getting close?”

“Hassian, he lost his wife, I highly doubt he’s in the market for a new partner. He’s been a confidant and someone who I can bounce things off of. He hasn't been too judgmental either, except when it came to Reth.”

“Well, he had every reason to. While I respect him for what he’s doing, in the end, he’s a path traitor.”

“Hassian, humans don’t have a path, we just do whatever we can to make good money, make us happy, to feel like we're a part of something greater. Reth makes people happy with his food and it makes him feel good. What harm is there?” I asked, looking at Hassian and his green eyes glared right into me.

“You don’t understand…”

“No! I understand it perfectly!” I said, my voice raising a bit with every sentence I spoke. “He did what the rest of you wouldn’t and couldn’t do, therefore you all hate him for it! I’m sorry that your lives are so miserable that you have to hate a man who made some mistakes. I’m sorry I would say, he’s human but he’s not, he’s Majiri. The Gods who made us are not infallible beings! They make mistakes too! Like making my race! If you can easily forgive the Gods of their transgressions, why can’t you forgive Reth? After all, it’s not like he destroyed the planet, like my kind did millennia ago, yet you all are treating him like he did. It’s not fair, it’s not right!”

Hassian stopped, clearly listening to me carry on my tirade. I then stopped and realized; that everyone had come out of their shops to listen to me. “This is why I said this isn’t the place for this conversation. Happy now? You got everyone’s attention with your little speech.”

“Good! They all need to hear it as much as Chayne does.”

Hassian then pulled me by the arm, and I didn’t realize we were by his mother’s smelter. Sifuu was just rounding the corner. “Everything okay son?”

“No, I need to use your storage room a second.”

“Ya’ll better not be up to any funny business,”

“Even if we were, you’d have no say over it,” Hassian muttered as he pulled the midnight lily out of his pocket and showed it to his mother who gasped in shock before he pushed me through the door.

“What the fuck Hassian!”

“Stop! Don’t you dare utter another word? Are we clear? People hear you spouting that nonsense, you’ll be hauled off by the Order to the Capitol. Nobody will see you again, not me, not Reth, nobody.”

“The Gods are just like us Hassian, Maji made your kind in their likeness, Embra made my kind in their likeness.”

“That’s a given, but they’re Gods, they are infallible!”

“The Gods, are not infallible beings Hassian. Embra got angry at us, they called us stubborn, and their anger at us tipped the scales to our doom. You know the flow that now litters all over the Earth—”

“This is Palia, not Earth,”

“This is Earth, the very same Earth we damn near destroyed because Embra accidentally introduced flow to us in their anger.”

“What are you even on about right now Corinth? Embra has nothing to do with Flow. Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind?” Hassian was getting angrier. He looked at me like I had grown two heads.

I took in a deep breath and tried to quell the rage I felt inside. “How did the humans come across it then? Do you even know the full history of your kind and how you were brought here?”

“Well—uh no, but that’s beside the point.”

“Hassian, Embra has been speaking to me. Showing me glimpses of what has happened to my kind, they showed me what happened to me—” I realized I did sound like a crazed woman. “You believed me once before, but I realize now, that I probably sound crazy. Even Jel laughed at me, and we both know the man doesn’t laugh. Take me to Chayne, he’ll make sense of everything. I know it.”

“Will you carry on this public spectacle if I open this door? Have you sufficiently calmed down?”

“Yes, but I need to run back to my house and grab a bottle of the sleeping potion Hodari gave me. I promise not to utter a peep.”

“Good. Let’s go.” We left the storage room and Sifuu looked us over.

“Everything seems in place, and you guys don’t have a bewildered look about ya.”

“We needed to talk. I don’t know if you heard everything—”

“Oh no, I heard everything, you might want to listen to Corinth when it comes to your issue with Reth though, she’s onto something.”

Hassian rolled his eyes and groaned. “Not you too Mother,”

“I’m assuming you’re going to talk to Chayne. I would be wise to listen to everything Corinth has to say, even if it challenges your beliefs Hassian.”

With a low groan, Hassian interlaced his fingers with my own, as we made our way to my home plot. Tish passed us, and her eyes zoomed in on Hassian and I’s interlocked hands. I glanced back at Tish and saw her rush to intercept Reth before he could see us.

I had a sinking feeling that Reth had already seen us. So had Hodari on his way into town, Jel as he opened his shop…Hassian made sure to let it be known, I was his.

He waited for me to grab the sleeping potion before we walked hand in hand again to Chayne’s alchemy.

Chapter Text

My face was absolutely burning with embarrassment. In the walk to Chayne’s alchemy, we had seen Dalaila, who had done a double take, I could’ve sworn I heard her mutter something under her breath. Ashura greeted us, but also noticed Hassian holding my hand, and Nai’o also greeted us, but at this point, Hassian was fed up.

“Yes, Nai’o. Is there an issue?” Hassian quipped, shooting a glare at poor Nai'o who looked shocked, and beside himself.

“Uh, no. I just—nevermind.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Hodari also greeted us. “Hassian, Corinth…”

“Hodari.” Hassian greeted him back, as he pulled me along. This caused Hodari to stop and study us for a moment.

“Hassian, loosen your grip on her hand, your white knucklin’ her hand t’death.”

“Oh.” Hassian muttered as he loosened his grip on my hand before he shot me an apologetic look. “Sorry Cori.”

“When I said, I accepted your affections, I wasn’t expecting to accept your crushing hand grip too,” I said, teasingly as I wiggled my fingers to let the blood that pooled back out again. “Are you nervous?”

“I wasn’t planning on making this a public affair.”

“You’re the one who insisted on holding my hand.”

“I want to make sure you’re not going to run.”

“I was on my way back to my house when I ran into you, after that, I was headed to Chayne,” I said, as I let out my breath. “I’m not going to run Hassian,”

“Maybe I wanted to hold your hand. You already know, I want more than that though, but this will do for now.” Hassian said, as we finally made it to Chayne’s alchemy.

Chayne was watering herbs in the solarium attached to his alchemy. Hearing our footsteps, he turned on his heel. He had a worried look on his face as his eyes landed on us. “Hassian, Corinth, can I help the two of you?”

Hassian finally let go of my hand. “Yes, remember when you told me to take the sleeping potion Hodari gave me? Well, first, I have a bottle here for you.” I said as I took off my backpack and grabbed the bottle out for him. “Here.”

“Wonderful, why don’t the both of you take a seat on the chaise there, I’ll run this through my distillery.”

“How long will it take Chayne?” I asked, looking up at the sage.

“Oh, anywhere between a half hour to an hour. There’s a small amount of liquid for it to break down into its individual parts. It’ll give me a chance to talk to you about your dream, assuming Embra appeared to you.”

“Oh yeah.”

“Let me put this in the distiller here, and we’ll get started. How are you Hassian? I take it Corinth accepted your affections.” Chayne said as he poured the bottle into the distiller.

“Yes. She followed the traditions, and I am excited for what’s to come.”

“You haven’t consummated the relationship yet, have you?”

I shook my head, my face burning once again, in embarrassment. “Oh no. That won’t be happening for a bit.”

Chayne’s eyes examined me for a moment before his eyes settled in between my legs. “Corinth, I can see why. Hop up off the chaise and please, follow me to the bathroom.”

Right as I did that, I realized what Chayne had seen. I had leaked through my pad onto my pants. The cooler air hit the wet stain, and it was quite extensive from what I could feel. Surely I left a blood stain on the Chaise. I must have been in such a mindset of getting things done, I completely ignored the fact I was on my period. “Oh my God, Chayne I’m sorry,”

“It’s okay, you’re a woman, these things happen, and they’re perfectly natural. Don’t worry about the chaise, it’s seen much worse. You will find a variety of feminine products there, and some fresh underwear, should you need it. Feel free to use the sink to get any stains out, cold water, I find works best. Dispose of your soiled products by wrapping them within each other and placing them in the waste basket.” Chayne turned on the light for me, then lowered his voice to whisper. “Hassian knows, correct?”

“Yes, also, I wasn’t planning on consummating anything with Hassian today anyway, we did agree to slow down.”

“A wise decision on your part. I already told you; you have complete control of your bodily autonomy. Take your time…”

“Does it hurt though?”

Chayne cocked his head to the side, he was genuinely confused. “Does what hurt?”

“Sex? I know how everything works, I’m aware I must be penetrated, but does it hurt?”

“Have you not—”

I shook my head. “No. Not in my previous life either, from what I can remember. I don’t know if coming to you is appropriate or not…”

“I have no experience on that myself, I cannot take a wife, or participate in such activities due to my religious standing. I do, however, provide contraception for both men and women.” Chayne then stepped back into the bathroom as Chayne waved me over to sit on the tub, which I did. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “What I’m about to say, cannot leave this room. It’s for your ears only. Hassian, is well-versed in the act of intercourse. I will not disclose with whom, that is best for him to disclose that to you himself. There may be some discomfort from what I have been made aware of, but it should dissipate after the first couple of times, and the conclusion should be enjoyable for both partners. Hassian, I know will do his best to accommodate you. Sex is a part of the courting rituals, usually after the exchanging of pins, but the traditions are slowly wearing down over time. Many Majiri take on multiple partners. So, wearing multiple pins is now widely accepted. I cannot speak much more on the matter, but if you happen to need contraception, come back to me when you feel you are ready, and I will happily provide you with what you need.”

“I see. So, I shouldn’t feel nervous?”

“Nerves, jitters, butterflies, they all come with new experiences, but when you feel the time is right, take the plunge. Only when you feel it’s time…because—”

“I have complete control of my own bodily autonomy.” I finished and Chayne smiled and nodded.

“Okay, glad that’s out of the way. How are you feeling? Are you cramping, or in any type of pain, bloated?”

“A little bit, actually.”

“Okay, I can give you some pills that will help you, you are retaining water, and your body is going through hormonal changes during this time. It will help alleviate most of your symptoms. You’ll need to take one on a full stomach, and a full glass of water once to twice a day, and it should take the edge off. I will give you a six-month supply.”

“Sounds good, thank you, Chayne, really, for everything.”

“You’re welcome. Come join us when you are ready. I will put some tea on.” Chayne said, as he left the bathroom and allowed me privacy.

I quickly cleaned up, pulling out the old tampon, and taking off the leaking pad before following Chayne’s directions on disposing of the items. I found the tampons Chayne had, came with applicators. I used one and found the experience much easier than trying to insert them myself, and not as messy. So, I snagged a handful of those. I would have to ask Zeki if he could get me those. I grabbed a pair of clean underwear and doubled up the pads this time before setting to the task of cleaning my soiled pants and underwear.

Most of the blood came out of both my pants and panties. All that was left were faded stains, and I knew I’d have to get them cleaned back home. I dried them the best I could and put the panties back in my bag. I frowned, knowing I’d have to wear pants with a wet crotch area, but what could I do?

I washed my hands and dried them on a towel before packing away my soiled underwear and the extra tampons, before exiting the bathroom, Hassian was hard at work, getting the blood stain out of the couch and I could feel my face heat up again. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong.” Hassian said, as he glanced up at me. “How are you?”

“I’m okay.” I said, shrugging.

“Good, hey I put a towel down on that chair over there, so you can sit.”

“I can take over on that if you want?” I asked, and Hassian shook his head.

“No, just relax. Chayne should be back with tea.”

“Hey Hassian, I don’t know if it’s the place to ask, but what happened between you and Tamala?”

He let out a heavy breath. “I know we need to have that talk…”

“But now’s not the time or the place.” I said as I sat down. “Seems I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.”

“I know. Believe me, I’d rather we be alone when we have that discussion.”

“I understand. I won’t say anything else about it.” I said, leaning back in the chair and when I did that, I felt a sharp, deep, stretching sensation where my uterus was. I grimaced. It felt foreign, yet natural. Hassian and I sat in silence for a few moments before Chayne came back with three teacups and a teapot on a tray and set it down on a table next to the chaise.

“Here Corinth, I made your tea and dissolved a powdered version of the medication into it. Please be sure to drink it all.”

“Oh, thank you,” I said, as I took the teacup Chayne had handed to me. I took a cautious sip. It tasted of rose and chamomile. Then came the bitter aftertaste of the medication but it wasn’t that bad. He handed Hassian his teacup and then sat down at his desk, which had wheels on it.

“Corinth, I want to hear you recollect this dream, and I will be notating this time, so please, take your time, and try to remember as much as you can.”

I launched into the recollection of the dream I had, this time Chayne didn’t seem to ask many questions, but I knew he was listening and busy writing everything down. When I was finished, Chayne had set his quill down.

“You saw the demise of your race, Embra though, being wise, saved a select few out of the billions on Earth. Was there a reason?”

“They wanted to restart.”

“They? I’ve only known Embra to be feminine.”

“They have no preference for gender. The same goes for Maji. They can take on attributes, but they have no preference.”

“I see. Interesting, these, canvases, are they like a traditional canvas?”

“No. Similar but not the same. They displayed numbers, and conditions of the planet, like a digital board.”

“Was the flow a paint, used by Maji.”

“Yes, to sustain the planet that the Majiri came from with a source of energy. Miritia.”

Hassian then interjected. “Chayne, you don’t believe all this, do you?”

“Hassian, I have no reason to doubt this. Sure, while it doesn’t line up with what we know of our history, the Majiri has never kept good written records. Everything has been passed by word of mouth, and what little record we have. Think of it as a game of whispers you played as a young boy in school, but instead of a handful of people, it’s thousands of people over thousands of years. Things are bound to get lost in translation or warped.”

“So Maji moved some of his people to Earth. I mean, it makes sense, but why are the humans coming back now?”

“I’m not sure.”

I felt the need to interject. “Maybe to see if we can work together. Maybe to see if we can live in harmony with the Earth. Maybe even see if we can create a new race. A hybrid of both. Embra loved us. They love Maji, call it an epiphany.”

“I mean that seems plausible.” Chayne then glanced at the distiller, and he got up. “It’s done. Give me some time to work out what exactly is in this potion.” I glanced outside, and some time had passed.

“Chayne do you have the time?” I asked, looking over at the Chayne. He glanced at a clock on the wall behind him.

“Yes, it’s half past four in the afternoon at the moment. Did you have someplace to be?”

“I have to meet Reth back at my plot by six. I still have to wash these pants,”

“I see. I can work quickly, would you rather leave and come back at a later time?”

“Yeah, if that’s okay with you.”

“Yes, that’s fine. I’m sure Hassian will make sure you make it back. You can come back tonight, or tomorrow, whenever you have time. It’ll give me time to process everything you just told me. Please stay healthy child of Embra.”

“Thank you, I will try,” I said, as I got up out of the chair, and checked it to make sure I didn’t leak, I didn’t, thank goodness. Hassian as well, got up out of the chaise. I walked out, Hassian was right by my side.

“When we get back to your place, you should get out of those pants so I can help you get the blood out.”

I looked at him mischievously. “You going to wash my pants and undies for me?”

“I don’t mind. I have a few tricks I’ve learned over the years about removing blood from clothing. I am a hunter after all.”

“You keep saying that as if I’ve forgotten the fact you took me hunting.”

Hassian let out a breath, “I’m just trying to say, I got it. You don’t have to worry your pretty little head about it. Did you have anything to get done while we were still in the village?”

“Yeah, Caleri mentioned she had something she needed help with and I needed to buy more land, and rooms for my house.”

“I see. Any reason why?”

“Well, I would like to have a bathroom and a separate bedroom as well, I just did a bunch of mining and managed to sell a good majority of starstones, so I have a bit of coin to splurge on expanding.”

“I see. Would you like my help moving things around?”

“I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

“Okay, I’ll wait here while you handle everything.”

I ran into the town hall and came across Kenyatta. “Oh, hey Corinth, so glad you came here to save me from a death of pure boredom.”

“Well, I’ll do my best. How have you been? I’m here to purchase a couple of rooms to expand my house, and some writs of land as well.”

“Oh, bored as usual. But sure, I can help you with that.”

Upon buying a large room, and a small room, I purchased nine extra writs to expand my lot size a bit. With that out of the way, I looked Kenyatta remembering I was supposed to ask her about Jel’s dress.

“Hey, um, Jel wanted me to ask you about your dress.”

“For the Bahari Ball? Ugh, I don't even want to go to that stuffy snooze fest, but mom's making me. I told Jel I wanted to wear something edgy. Something that's going to cause a scandal. Something that's gonna get me on the front page of all the wrong gossip pamphlets.”

“Edgy huh? Well, teeth have edges.”

“So I know you're joking, but I actually think that's not a bad idea. Imagine an entire dress covered in piranha teeth. My mom would just die!”

“Okay Piranha teeth, got it. I think I have some Piranha sitting in a chest back home. I’ll get those to Jel and tell him what you want.”

“Really Corinth!? You’re the best.”

“You’re welcome.” I said, as I then bid Kenyatta goodbye and headed over to the library where Caleri had a list of people to talk to about getting some overdue books back.

Upon getting those two things out of the way, I went back to Hassian as we made our way back to my house. I ran into my house and got dressed in another set of clothes, before handing my soiled ones to Hassian along with a washing board, and laundry detergent. He quickly got to work, and even set up a make-shift clothesline to hang my clothes from. He then came inside and helped me move some furniture around, so I could put my additions on. I didn’t have quite enough planks and stone blocks for them, but I threw in more wood into my sawmill, and stone into the smelter.

I checked my mail, and Eshe sent me another letter this time about her frustrations with Kenyatta using a salad fork to eat her entrée. She felt Kenyatta was acting out and demanded that I talk some sense into her daughter for her since we were becoming close. I rolled my eyes at the letter.

The next letters were from Hodari saying he had a pickaxe upgrade for me. Ashura sent a letter about a wood axe upgrade and other recipes, Nai’o sent me a ton of fertilizer as a way of thanking me for helping him out. The next was from Sifuu, requesting that I come to see her regarding Hassian. It all reminded me that I was supposed to ask Hassian about Tau, who was sitting in a corner of my lot, chewing on a chapaa tail Hassian had given to him earlier.

“Hey Hassian, what’s going on with Tau? I think you sent me a letter a while back asking me to check up on him.”

“Oh he keeps sneaking off late at night, I’ve tracked him going to the Flooded Fortress. I figured you and I could go and see what he’s been up to around there.”

“I see. Maybe tomorrow, or the next day…”

“It’s not a big deal, he’s usually back in the morning by the time I leave for Kilima. It can wait for a more convenient time when you’re not so busy.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Do you need any more help around here? Wasn’t Reth supposed to be here at six?”

“Yeah, is it past six already?”

“It’s half past seven.”

“Really? Fuck, okay, I think I’ve got a handle on it; I’m just waiting for stuff to finish processing. You probably shouldn’t keep Auni waiting at the Inn for too much longer. If you wanted to head out…”

“Speaking of Auni, he’s coming up the path.”

“SPECIAL DELIVERY!!! Woo! Hi! Reth paid me in cake to deliver this letter to you express!” Auni shouted, as he shoved a letter into my mailbox. “I already shoved it in your mailbox, so check it out! Okay, byeee!”

Hassian and I looked at each other, a look of worry was plastered on Hassian’s face. I went back over to the mailbox and got the letter. It was from Reth. My heart sank, I figured it might be bad news.

Dear Corinth,
Hey, I feel like a HUGE jerk for doing this, but I have to cancel our plans tonight. Something came up that I can't ignore. Next time we see each other I promise I'll explain.

“He canceled.”

Hassian rolled his eyes, “I knew he couldn’t be trusted.”

“Hassian, let’s not go that route. Something probably came up. He might still be at the Inn.”

“Did you want to go confront him?”

“I mean, I kind of have to. He might need my help again.”

“Reth is a big boy, he can handle him—” Hassian let out a huge exhale as his eyes met mine. “You’re dragging me into this, aren’t you?”

“You still need to meet up with Auni and your mother.”

Hassian clenched his jaw. “Fine. Let’s go.”

We headed out of the gate to my plot, and we went straight to the Inn. Reth was there looking overwhelmed. Hassian managed to walk in quietly and walked over to his mother while I approached the bar Reth usually stood behind. It took him some time to notice me since he was pouring beers and running them all over to the bar.

I sat down at the bar and watched Reth run around, and when Reth finally came back to the bar, we made eye contact. “Hey! It's really good to see you. You aren't mad at me, right? You can be a little mad. I'd be mad if I were you. Sorry, I'm a jerk.”

“I was excited to see you, you know.”

“Really? You know, you don't have to flatter me. Trust me, I'm already into you. But, seriously. I don't want to start making it a habit of leaving you hanging after we make plans. My life's just...you already know...”

“So what happened?”

“Ashura caught me going in and out of the backrooms. After hours, if you get what I mean.”

“For a criminal, you’re really bad at this.” I said, in a hushed tone as to not alert any attention toward Reth and I’s conversation.

“I know, right? I'm honestly a little impressed with myself, that it took this long to get caught. I was kind of panicking a little. I did what anyone would do in my position. I lied through my teeth. I told him the reason I was at the inn after hours was because I was planning a dinner party. For him. To thank him.”

“Okay, so, our party of two just became a party of…what?”

“Eight? Seven since, technically you’re not invited.” I shot a glare at Reth, as he looked uneasy. “Sorry, Ashura’s the guest of honor, but I promise I will make it worth your while. I have a list of people for you to invite. Just talk to them and invite them, should be easy enough for you to handle right, Fancy Pants?”

“I’m not the one that lied.”

“I—I know,”

“Good thing Sifuu’s just right there. I wonder if I can use that mace of hers to knock some sense into you.”

“Please don’t do that, I’m too pretty to beat up.”

“Right, I’ll be back whenever I get everyone invited.”

“Thank you!”

“Mmhm.” I hummed my reply as I got to work. Inviting Sifuu, Dalaila, Badruu, and Hodari to “Ashura’s Dinner Party”. I ran back to the Inn where Reth was cooking up a storm, Ashura had come down and was helping Reth with the drink orders. I leaned against the doorway to the kitchen and watched Reth for a moment until he saw me from the corner of his stirring something in a saucepan on the stove. “Everyone’s been invited.”

“Great, now I just gotta finish up the catfish, make dessert, whip up the sides--before you go offering to help, I really do have that handled, Fancy Pants. I promise I'm not totally helpless. There is one more thing you could do for me, though.”

“Oh? And what’s that?” I asked, arching an eyebrow at the man.

“Keep being your incredible, gorgeous self.”

“Well, you forgot capable, talented, strong, oh, and honest.”

Reth let out a laugh. “Let’s not forget smart and funny. You’re one of my favorite people Cori. Anyways, uh. I'll send you a letter when all of this is over.”

“So this is the only time I’m gonna see you until I get a letter tomorrow morning? Okay Reth, it’s cool. I honestly think you should just be upfront and honest with Ashura; the man deserves to know the truth.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“Look, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Actually, I need some boxes moved to the storeroom, you might as well do that for me too while I’m serving dinner. Let me see your map.”

“My Kilima map or Bahari map?”

“Bahari.”

I was feeling disgruntled at this point. “You expect me to go all over Bahari to pick up shipments for you, and bring them back here?”

“Is that too much?”

“First you blow me off, then you want me to do your job to cover up a lie you told to Ashura? Fine, give me the locations of the packages, so I can throw them into the God Damn Bahari Sea myself.”

“Fancy Pants, please don’t be like this.”

“How the hell am I supposed to help you when you keep digging yourself into deeper holes Reth? Just give me the fucking locations, before I lose my mind.”

“Okay. Okay.” Reth said, as he pulled a marker out of his apron pocket and marked the locations. “Please don’t throw them in the sea. Zeki has been waiting for these packages for months.”

“I don’t know why it’s my problem now, but whatever. I’ll be back whenever I get back.” I spat venomously, as I took the map from Reth and began making my way out of the Inn. On my way out, I accidentally bumped into someone.

“Everythin’ okay?”

“Just peachy Hodari, sorry for bumping into you, I’m kind of in a hurry to get out of here.”

“Reth’s gettin’ under your skin?”

“Something like that. I’ll talk to you later, enjoy the dinner party.” I said in passing as I bolted down the path, away from the Inn, muttering profanities under my breath.

I made quick work of finding the packages and made it back to Kilima just before Zeki’s underground was about to close up shop for the night. I snuck in and dropped the packages off. I was about to turn around to head back into the underground when the door to the storeroom opened. I glanced back to see Reth coming in carrying a stock pot.

“Fancy Pants?”

“Hey, packages are here, I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier, I’m just gonna head home for the night.”

“Wait, hang on. Corinth, I want to apologize. I’m sorry for how I treated you today.”

“I mean same could be said for me. You didn’t deserve me snapping off on you the way I did earlier either. So, I’m sorry for that.”

“Hey, did you have some time to catch up? Have you eaten? I managed to wrangle up some loaded potato soup. I know that’s your favorite. I think there’s a bit of catfish further in here too I’ll get it for us. I just feel like I’ve been a huge prick to you tonight and I want to make it up to you.” Reth said as I put the stock pot down on the dining room table that was in the storeroom before walking further into the storeroom to grab some bowls and utensils to eat with.

“Yeah I can eat; how did the dinner go?”

“Everything went well, no one seems suspicious. But you, you are looking absolutely…Mm, I’ll stop. Did you change your clothes? Use a different soap? Something is different about you. Do you come here often?” I could tell Reth was trying to be a flirt, but he wasn’t on his A-game tonight.

“Just an outfit I pulled together, and Reth, I’m practically a regular here. Now that I have your key, this is what two nights in a row now?”

Reth let out a laugh, there was more clanking and clattering of pots before he came back into view. “At this point you are. How many times have you saved me, now? Three? Twenty? Six hundred? Careful, fancy pants, a guy could get used to this.”

“Well, with all the times you’ve fed me, I’d say we’re even now.”

“That's actually why I wanted to talk to you,” Reth said, as he placed a bowl down in front of me and ladled some soup into it. “I, uh...this isn't exactly easy for me to talk about. Whew, deep breaths, Reth. Be a big boy.” I put a hand over his on the ladle as we made eye contact. I waved him to sit down as I took over for him and ladled soup into his bowl. I did notice two plates full of battered catfish filets, so I grabbed a plate and threw some onto a plate for him while he continued. “Maybe you've noticed, but I'm not used to asking for help. And when I did ask for help as a kid...well, no one really wanted to help me. I didn't expect them to. It's always just been me and Tish against the world. And then here you come along, literally busting into my life when I saved you from getting trampled on by that sernuk…”

I let out a laugh, “Hm, yeah, I remember that. You saved me that day.” I said, looking over at him as I put a couple of catfish filets on my plate, and began to eat.

“Look, even though I keep messing up...somehow, you're still here. You're not sick of me yet. More than that, you've put yourself on the line for me. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. I don't know. Tell me if I'm totally off base here.” I quickly swallowed my bite to address him.

“Reth, I care deeply for you. Zeki sees that, Hassian sees that, Tish sees that, Jel sees that. While we may not always see eye to eye on things, I want to be there for you and help you navigate through this mess you’ve gotten yourself into.”

“Hassian…you mentioned something a few nights ago that something happened between you and him? I saw you two today, holding hands and looking like two lovebirds if I say so myself. I’m assuming you two worked things out?” Reth asked as he began eating his soup.

“Yeah you can say that…um…things got a little heated between us and he overstepped some boundaries…”

“Have you two done it? You know, had sex?” Reth asked, and there was an air of concealed jealousy in his tone. I shook my head, and he let out a breath.

“No. It involves him giving me a piggyback ride and he forced me to ride on his back until I lost my collective mind.”

Reth’s jaw dropped, he looked confused at first but as he imagined it, the lightbulb went off. “You…um…oh…oh…”

“He forced me to orgasm,” I said, coming right out with it. Reth chewed his lip but allowed me to continue. “Yeah…I had asked him to let me down twice before that happened though, he didn’t take no for an answer.”

“I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Reth asked, as he grabbed a catfish filet and bit into it.

“I’m fine now, he gave me a friction burn down there though.”

Reth let out a snort of disdain and shook his head. “Oh no, Fancy Pants, that sounds awful.”

“It was awful, but now it’s that time of the month. At least I’ll heal, but yeah, I’d say things are becoming serious between Hassian and myself.”

“Hm. Are you okay? I know some women who get bad around that time.”

“I’m good, Chayne gave me something to stave off the cramps, and I’m here, right? I’m a tough cookie, I’ll be fine.”

“Well if you need anything, I can whip up some cake, or chocolates I think I’ll just send you some chocolate, Tish loves chocolate.”

“Well, thank you,” I said, as I finished my bowl of soup and picked up a catfish filet before taking a bite of it. “Mm. These are delicious.”

“Beer battered catfish. They might be a little cold now, but they’re still good. Hot or cold.” I finished the filet and felt full. “Ooh, boy, my belly is very satisfied.”

“Good, that was the point,” Reth said, as he finished what bit of food he had left. “Why don’t you go into the underground, I’ll turn the lights on for you. I’ll clean up and put away the food, and I’ll meet you out there.”

“Okay, sounds good,” I said, as got up off the chair, and Reth followed me out of the storage room and into the underground. Reth turned on the lights, before leaving me to myself. The piano was no longer there, so I opted just to sit down at one of the tables and go through my backpack. I also decided to check everything down below and realized I would need a new pad and tampon.

I looked around and figured the best spot to do that would be the little room behind the bar. So, grabbing a fresh pad, tampon, and a couple of pieces of fabric, I took care of my hygiene needs, making to wrap my used pad, tampon, and applicator inside of a piece of fabric.

I heard the door open, “Corinth you still out here?”

“Yeah, just…taking care of something really quick.” I heard footsteps approaching. “Reth, I wouldn’t come back here if I were you. I’m cleaning myself, let me finish up, please.”

“Are you…” I looked up just as he had peaked his head around the corner. “Oh, it’s fine Fancy Pants. I get it, you’re a woman. You forget I have a little sister.” Reth then approached me, luckily it was dark enough I don’t think he could see much. “Let me see your cloth.”

Hesitantly, I handed the cloth I was holding. He then went to the sink and got it wet for me before handing it back to me. “Come join me when you’re finished.”

I blushed deeply. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, there’s a sink over there if you need to wash yourself or wash your hands.”

“Thank you,” I said again, as I watched Reth walk out of the back room. I finished up and washed my hands in the sink. While I was washing my hands I heard Reth start up the record player. I wondered what he had up his sleeve. The song playing was a fast paced song which got my head bopping.

I walked out of the backroom and Reth looked at me. We made eye contact. “Come dance with me.” I felt a smile light up my face as I moved close to Reth and began swaying my hips, moving my body to the beat. He reached out to me, grasping my hand to pull me closer to him. His other hand settled itself on my waist before he lightly pushed me away to spin me around.

“Woo!” I exclaimed as he pulled me back against him again. Our eyes met again, as he brought our hips together as we did a little bit of dirty dancing. “Where’d you learn to dance?”

“I picked up a thing or two since I moved here, where’d you learn your moves?”

“I don’t know. I’m just doing what comes naturally…”

“Well, you got moves too Fancy Pants, ready to spin again?”

“Of course!” I said, and Reth gently pushed me away again and this time he spun me in several circles around him. I let out a laugh. I was having a blast. The song faded out and there was a slower song up next. Reth pulled me so close, that our bodies were mashed against each other. I wrapped my arms around Reth’s neck, as I put my ear to Reth’s chest to listen to his steady heartbeat. I closed my eyes, enjoying the closeness, the intimacy of the moment. I carefully listened to the lyrics of the song.

The city knows
The streetlights cast a florescent glow
On your sinful tendencies you try to hide

I want to just breathe you in
From the pain and the heartache,
the mind and the skin and your
Truth's guilt underneath all the lies and the walls that you built

Just leave
Your troubles behind you
All that’s left of your sanity
Is hanging by a string

And I fell into your darkness as my escape
Do you want me to stay

Reth’s hands ran up and down my back, I allowed myself to open up to the intimacy of the moment, in Reth’s embrace as he led us. The song was hauntingly beautiful and seemed to describe the moment and our journey together so perfectly.

I want to just breathe you in
From the pain and the heartache,
the mind and the skin and your
Truth's guilt underneath all the lies and the walls that you built

We swayed together to the music. I listened to Reth's steady heartbeat which seemed to match the song's tempo.

The city knows
The streetlights cast a florescent glow
On your sinful tendencies, you try to hide

Just leave
Your troubles behind you
Just leave
The memories inside of you
Just leave
Your troubles behind you
Just leave
The memories inside of you

As the song stopped my body moved on its own accord. I made eye contact with Reth and pressed my lips to his. Sparks ignited my whole body the moment our lips made contact. Reth cupped my face and moaned into the kiss. The passion ignited between us. Soon our lips and tongues were in this erotic dance, and we couldn’t get enough. My mind was blown. Kissing him felt so surreal. My heart was racing in my chest, I felt like I was on cloud nine while my body was standing in a delicious fire.

Reth’s lips moved from my mouth to the curve of my chin where he kissed his way up to my left ear, then to just under my ear. I let out a moan, as pleasure shot to my brain. He gently bit down on that spot on my neck and my knees grew weak, as I leaned fully into him for support. I didn’t know my neck was so sensitive. “Mm, hang on Fancy Pants,” Reth said, as he pulled a chair from one of the tables, and swiftly sat down on it, before pulling me so I was straddling him on the chair.

“Reth, I-I can’t…go all the way.”

“I know, I’m not asking for that. I want to enjoy your lips and you a little bit longer. I want to see how sensitive you are.”

I immediately brought my lips to his again. We shared another mind-blowing kiss before his lips attacked that spot on my neck again. I wiggled against him. “Reth! Oh my God, that feels amazing…”

“You have a very sensitive neck Fancy Pants. You smell and taste so good though, it’s so addicting. Can I kiss, bite and suck on your neck? It’s turning me on, watching you like this.” Reth said, as he lightly bit my neck again which caused me to moan again.

“I don’t know why I’m like this…”

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Corinth. We’re both discovering new things that you like. Hop up, I need to adjust myself.” I hopped up off of Reth and he readjusted himself, and I realized how big and girthy Reth was. I averted my eyes up to meet his and we made eye contact. “Are you still comfortable with straddling me?”

I bit my lip and studied his face for a moment. This was new for us, and as I was studying him, he was studying me. I saw the noticeable tent in his pants and bit my lip. “Won’t that be painful for you? Do I turn you on?”

Reth gave me a look. “Fancy Pants, do you have to ask that? Isn’t this evidence enough?” Reth said as he glanced down at the tent in his pants, and I blushed deeply. “I just want to kiss you until my lips fall off. I want to show you how much you mean to me. Let’s take things slowly and take our time exploring each other.”

I nodded and straddled Reth, and I found myself liking the feeling of how his arousal felt against me. This time Reth closed the distance between our lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck. We kissed passionately for several moments and his mouth and tongue explored every bit of my mouth, as I did the same to him. I felt Reth’s hands slink underneath the fabric of my shirt, his hands felt hot against the skin on my back. His hands smoothed up my back. I wanted more.

Reth lips then left mine. “No bra?” He breathed.

“They’re restricting,” I said, simply, before I kissed his chin, my fingers played with the dreadlocks on his head, and I massaged his scalp.

“Mm, Fancy Pants, that feels good.” Reth breathed, as I immediately attacked his neck with kisses, licks, and love bites, and he thrust his hips against me, his clothed hard cock rubbed against my clothed womanhood just right. I let out an erotic moan. His lips immediately attacked the side of my neck he could access with his lips.

“Fuck Reth!” I moaned as I began grinding my hips against him, feeling my excitement building. I was losing control, but I loved how my body was reacting to him. It was like my body was acting of its own accord, I was slowly coming undone. All I wanted was Reth’s hands on me, on every part of my body, and his lips on me. I pulled off my shirt, and Reth knew immediately what to do. He glanced down at my breasts and placed both of the mounds of flesh in his hands.

“Corinth you are so incredible. I can’t get enough of you.” Reth said, as he immediately placed my left nipple into his mouth, and licked around my areole, then did the same to the right. “I wish I had more hands, more lips…fucking hell…” Reth’s hips met every thrust of my hips. “You’re so good Corinth, so sexy. You have no idea how you affect me.”

“I feel the same Reth, I can’t stop. This is too good, but I want your shirt off…” I wanted to feel Reth’s skin on me but first I kissed him again, this time my hands fumbled with the buttons of his chef’s jacket. Reth’s hands came up and helped me. I immediately attacked his chest with kisses and sucked his nipples. Reth let out gasps and moans as I did this.

My excitement grew, and grew until it started reaching fever pitch. I ground my hips against him, soon, I pulled Reth as close as he could be. My nipples hardened, as my orgasm washed over me like a tidal wave. I lost complete control over my body, and it felt so amazing. Contractions rocked my body hard; I was shaking, and I tossed my head back. I screamed Reth’s name like a prayer. My voice echoed throughout the Underground market.

“Fuck! I’m coming too…” Reth wrapped his arms around my lower back tightly as he brought his hips up against my clothed womanhood at a rapid race. My name was thrown from his lips. I kissed him as we rocked each other through our orgasms until we were clinging to each other, sweaty, topless, and out of breath. Reth and I made eye contact. “Oh my dragon, that was incredible.”

“Agreed. Can I just stay here for a moment, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get up. I’m feeling incredibly weak and shaky.”

“You could stay there forever if you wanted to Fancy Pants. You know, I wasn’t going to go this far tonight, but now I’m kind of glad we did. I found out a lot about you tonight.”

“I just went with what my body was telling me to do. I’m sorry if I pushed it too far.” I said as I traced lines on Reth’s chest with the tips of my fingers. I admired Reth’s physique.

“No, don’t apologize, it’s not like we went all the way, we kept our pants on, speaking of which, I didn’t reaggravate the burn Hassian gave you, did I?” Reth asked as he grasped my right hand and kissed the tips of my fingers. “I really can’t get enough of you Cori, I think I’m a little obsessed.”

“No, not at all. Hoo…my heart is still racing.”

“Me too, Fancy Pants, me too. Let’s cool down for a bit, that was intense.”

“Agreed,” I said as I wrapped my arms around Reth, and hugged him, leaning my head against him as he stroked over my back. We stayed like that for some time before I felt the feeling and strength come back to my legs. I then got up off of Reth’s lap and pulled my shirt back on. Reth quickly buttoned his Chef’s jacket back up.

“Did you have any other plans tonight?” Reth asked, as he got up off the chair and put it back before he walked to the back room behind the bar. I opted to sit at the bar while Reth went to clean up the mess he made in his trousers.

“Nothing too exciting, I know tomorrow is Friday, so I should probably go to the Inn and figure out a set list to play. I don’t know how long I’ll be playing for.” I heard the water in the sink run and Reth unbuckle his belt. I looked down at the bar, to allow him some privacy.

“Ashura usually allows Badruu to perform a four-hour set on Saturdays, so I’m assuming that’s how long he’ll have you perform for. As much as I’d love to tag along and get a sneak peek at what you’ll be performing, you know I got deliveries to do.”

“Are you going to be good? Do you need me to keep a watch out?” I asked, as I heard the sink turn off and Reth fasten his belt again before turning around to me.

“No babe—” Reth then slapped a hand over his mouth. His eyes widened with shock as he realized what he had just said. “I’m sorry. That just slipped out.”

I made eye contact with him and smiled. “No, say it again. I like it.”

“Baby. Babe. Are we at mushy nickname status now?”

“I mean we were just making out and getting hot and heavy a bit ago. As long as I can call you babe, honey, and sexy…”

“Uhnnnn…” Reth moaned before he once again slapped a hand over his mouth. “Okay, maybe not yet, it’s doing things to me.”

“Is that so, baby?” I said, a smirk lining my lips.

“Fuck…okay, stop. I just cleaned up, and you’re gonna make me have another mess. Those words leaving those soft, petal-like lips, it’ll be my undoing, so please.”

I let out a laugh. “Okay I’ll go easy on you, but now, I know how to torture you,” I said, a smile curling my lips. Reth looked into my eyes.

“Corinth, I will happily welcome your torture. It’s been hard to keep my hands to myself, especially after you gave me the box of chocolates. I find that self-control has been a struggle around you. I know you said, you wanted to slow things down.” Reth said as he walked out from behind the bar. “Look I’ll walk you to the Inn, then I need to leave you.”

I nodded, grabbing my backpack and we walked to the Inn where Reth left my side, but before he left, he kissed me. We almost lost ourselves in the kiss, but luckily I pulled away before it got to that. I waved Reth goodbye as I entered the Inn.

Chapter Text

Ashura was still on the night shift the man’s eyes were on me as soon as I entered.

“Corinth! Hey, how are you doing tonight?”

“I’m doing well! How are you Ashura? Did you catch up on sleep?”

“Yeah, I did, I’m good though, thanks for asking. You here to figure out what you’re playing later on tonight?”

“Yeah, is that okay?”

“Sure, Piano’s still right there. Are you thirsty or anything? I can get you something to drink if you want.”

“Sure. If you have something to write with and some paper that’d be great.”

“Yeah, I think have a pen and some paper somewhere around here you can use. Let me get you a drink first.”

“Sounds good, thank you Ashura.”

“No problem Corinth. Anything to help.” Ashura said as he disappeared into the kitchen. I sat down at the piano and pulled up the key cover and began fiddling around with the piano hoping something would come to me. I started playing with the lower notes of the instrument. Something about the riff I was playing seemed familiar. The sound of a cup getting placed on top of the piano over my head pulled me out of the creative world I was in.

“Did you have the time?” I asked, looking up at Ashura.

“It’s a little past 4 am. Let me find you a pen and some paper.”

“How long did you want me to play for? It’ll give me a rough idea of how many songs I need to come up with.” I asked as I watched Ashura go up behind his desk and pull out a stack of blank parchment and pull a pen out of his pen holder before walking back toward me.

“Three to four hours, you can take a short break in between I’ll be sure to give you plenty of drinks and a meal. I’ll even throw in some coin.”

“Oh I don’t even know how much to ask for…”

“Does 250 gold an hour sound good to you?”

“You’re paying me a thousand gold? That seems a bit too much.”

“Yeah, I have a bit of money, it’s the least I can do to make sure everyone is entertained, and I know you’ll need it for expanding your lot, buying new backpacks, and more storage.”

“Well I appreciate it Ashura, you’re too kind.”

“Hey, I respect the arts. There’s a glass of iced sweetleaf tea on the piano there, and here's a stack of parchments and a pen. Just holler if you need anything else.”

“Thank you,” I said, as I grabbed the tea and took a sip as I began tinkering around on the piano again.

I got into a flow, and the songs were just pouring out of me. By the time the sun was above the horizon, I had worked out about fifty songs with lyrics, chord progressions and riffs. I also downed three glasses of Ashura’s iced sweet leaf tea. I loved it. I looked at Ashura who looked impressed. “You work fast. I figured you’d be here all day figuring out all those songs. Those are all songs you know from your past, correct?”

“Yeah, they are. You didn’t want any sad songs. They just hit me out of nowhere, I can’t really explain it well, I do what comes naturally I guess.”

“Well, you play a mighty fine piano and your voice is beautiful. You sing very well.”

“Thank you. Do you have a place where I could keep these? I fear I’ll lose them if I take them back to my house with me.”

“Yeah, hand them to me, I’ll put them behind my desk for safekeeping,”

“Thank you, Ashura. I’ll see you around 7?”

“I’ll be here.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to you later,” I said, as I grabbed my backpack and decided it was time to go back to my plot and see what needed to be done, if I got any mail, and go through all the old letters and get started on any tasks other people needed me for.

As soon as I got to my house, however, Najuma was checking out the outside of my house. “Najuma? What are you doing here?” I asked, and suddenly I was hit with a wave of worry.

“Oh, h-hey! I didn’t know if you’d actually be home. Um, I was just in the area, a-and thought I’d stop by!”

“I’m always glad to see you!” I said as I took off my backpack. I started going through my backpack to organize it.

“Really? That’s a relief… I thought you’d be annoyed. I just don’t want to be home right now.”

I frowned. “What happened?”

“Dad still won’t let me back into the mines. I’ve done everything I can to prove to him I’m responsible, but he just won’t hear it! He’s treating me like a baby, or like I don’t understand the danger, but I do. I really do…”

“Najuma you’re still young, and you’re his little girl. I don’t exactly have kids, but I’d be looking out for your safety.”

“I’m older than Auni, and he’s allowed to run all around Kilima on his own! Ugh. He’s always saying that actions speak louder than words. So maybe it’s time I stopped listening to his.”

“So, you’re just going to stop listening to your dad? I get it, your father is strict, but it isn’t without reason Najuma. He told me what happened with your mother, he’s just trying to look out for you and your safety.”

“Here, look. I’ve got this design for a safety suit. If I make this, maybe he’ll realize I’m taking it seriously. I just, um, need your help getting some of the materials. I’m not the best at aiming and buying them from the store is pretty expensive. If you get them all, just drop them by me in Bahari. I promise I’ll make it worth your while!” Najuma said as she handed me a list of supplies she needed. Five pieces of leather, and two silk thread.

“That’s no problem, I got the silk thread right here actually. It’ll take me a little time to get the leather, but I can do it. According to Hassian, I’m an eagle-eye when it comes to hunting,” I said, as I pulled two silk thread out of my bag and handed it to Najuma.

“Okay well, thanks for the thread. I’ll be waiting for you for the leather. See you later Corinth. Thanks for listening to me. I know I can come off awkward.”

“You’re good Najuma, it’s part of life you know. Come see me if you have any other issues.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, I checked stock of all my items and crafted more arrows. I knew I probably should talk to Sifuu, but thought I would stop by and see Jina, and see how the Daiya’s were doing. I also had a key I came across while mining for copper I needed Jina to look at. It looked like it went to more ruins. I also needed to let Jel know what Kenyatta wanted for her dress, I had a few piranha I could donate to the cause, so I grabbed those out of my storage.

I also decided to bring any veggies I grew and give them as gifts to the Daiya’s as a way to say thank you. I managed to eat one of my carrots, and it was fresh, like a home-grown carrot I remembered eating as a kid.

I pulled on the green leafy top of the carrot with everything I had in my tiny little body. It gave me some resistance, but I eventually pulled it from the earth. “Grandma! Look at the size of this one!”

“Oh my! That is a monster carrot! Good job honey! Come over here and run it under the spigot and get that one good and clean.”

“Can I eat it Grandma? I wanna eat it!”

“Sure honey, but you gotta come over here and wash all the dirt off first.”

I ran over to my grandma Carol and handed her my carrot. She quickly got it cleaned off for me before handing the carrot back to me and I took a big bite.

I smiled as I wiped a stray tear from my eye before tucking the bundle of carrots into my bag. I also grabbed some mountain morels for Jina, knowing the woman loved her mushrooms, like me. With a game plan in mind, I took off out of my gate.

I decided to stop by Jel’s shop first. When I entered, Jel seemed surprised to see me.

“Corinth! How are you today?”

“I’m good, I talked to Kenyatta.”

“So what did she say about the dress?” Jel asked as he looked down at me.

“She wants something edgy.”

“Thank you Corinth, you've been a tremendous help. Edgy...that direction is a bit broad, but I think I can work with it.”

“Well, I can narrow it down if you want. She wants piranha teeth all over her dress.”

“Oh my, that is…edgy. I suppose you wouldn’t happen to have any piranha on you would you?”

“I do actually, I was out fishing and managed to catch a few of both varieties. Do you want them?”

“I’ll take one of each if you don’t mind. I’ll send a letter to you when I’m ready to reveal the dress. Thank you again, Corinth. You’ve helped me so much.”

“It was no problem really. I don’t mind at all. Are you coming tonight for my first performance at the Inn?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good, see ya then,” I said, as I turned on my heel and headed out of Jel’s shop, feeling the man’s eyes on me. I then headed over to the Daiya family farm. The scene that unfolded before me when I got there wasn’t one I was prepared for though. Dalaila was fanning out of the house and a thick plume of smoke exited out of the door. Just as Nai’o, seemingly frustrated, exited the house with a badly burned pie and chucked the thing into the fertilizer pile.

“Oh no! What happened?”

“Now’s not a good time Corinth dear, we’ve had a bit of a conundrum.”

“Can I help in any way?”

“No. Not right now. Come back later.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, now’s not a good time Corinth, sorry,” Nai’o said, as he frowned and kicked his heel into the dirt causing a plume of dust to kick up where he disturbed the ground with his foot.

I frowned but knew whatever happened was a huge disappointment. So, I decided to go and find Jina.

When I got to Mirror Pond, Jina seemed down in the dumps.

“Hey, Jina! How are you today!”

“Corinth! It’s about time you came to see me. What did you want?”

“Hey, I came across a key that looks like it goes to some ruins or something?”

“Oh, that’s the old library key, huh, well, half of it anyway, the half that I’m missing,”

“Oh cool! So…what do I need to do to help you…”

Jina suddenly got disgruntled with me. “I don’t even know if you deserve this key or any of these books I’ve come across.”

“Jina, I’m sorry for not returning sooner. I’ve been extremely busy.”

“I thought you actually liked me,” Jina said as she shook her head. “Very well. Bad news...this key doesn’t unlock the door, some runes just started to glow along the edges. Hekla tells me it's some kind of a riddle. One that I... don't understand. It was written by ancient Humans, so I thought uh, maybe you might be able to help us figure it out.”

“Fine. I can help you decipher it. Please, don’t be angry with me. I like you a lot, Jina. I really do.”

“Here’s the riddle, there is a house. One enters it knowing all and leaves knowing nothing.”

“Hm. Okay. A school?”

“Hmmm... you know that makes an odd sort of sense. Because when you're ignorant you think you know more than when you are wise.”

“Was that a jab at me?”

“Perhaps,” Jina said, as a smirk lined her lips. “Let me talk to the door and see what happens.”

I stood around and patiently waited for Jina to give my answer to the door and it glowed pink again. Hekla then translated the text for Jina before she turned around and approached me.

“There’s another riddle. Are you ready for it?”

“Sure,” I said, looking at the woman. I licked my lips. I could taste her kiss on my tongue.

“The key you hold shows a thirst for knowledge, but the next clue for entering these hallowed doors requires a thirst for something more. Any idea what that could mean?”

“A thirst for something more, could it be water?”

“Yeah, maybe the clue is hidden somewhere with water! Good thinking. I'll look in the pond around here and you can look around other water sources. Don’t leave me waiting for long though.”

“Jina, I said I’m sorry. What else do you want to do or say? I’ll try to figure out this quest you’ve given me. I don’t like you being mad at me.”

Jina just rolled her eyes. “Sure whatever. Just hurry.”

I frowned and felt a pain in my chest. I walked away from Jina, tears brimming in my eyes. I still had some time before I was due to be at the Inn. So, I walked back to my house. Crying and feeling like absolute garbage that I had let Jina down.

My tears had dried by the time I got back to my house only to find Nai’o standing there waiting for me. “Hey, uh, I like what you’ve done to the place. Are you okay? You look like you’ve been crying.”

“Yeah, it’s nothing to concern yourself with though Nai’o, what are you doing here?”

“So, Mom said you stopped by earlier. I was busy. I was trying to bake my mom’s cottage core pie for their competition next weekend, but as you saw…I burned the pie while trying to get chores done. I feel so bad.”

“I’m sorry you burned the pie; did you want to come inside and have some tea? Jina just gave me the business too.”

“Yeah, I can. Are you okay?”

“I don’t know Nai’o. Was there a reason why you were here?” I asked as I put water on the stove for tea.

“Oh, I wanted to see if you could head to Bahari Bay and find ten briar daisies, they’re my mom’s favorite, and I wanted to make it up to her for burning her pie.”

“Did you need more ingredients? For the pie?”

“If you could pick up more anchovies, that’d be great. I’m trying to perfect that recipe for my mom. She’s already stressed to the max with trying to prepare the ormuus and our riffroc for the competition next week.”

“I see, yeah I can do that. You don’t need them tonight do you?”

“No. I know you’re performing tonight at the Inn. If you can get them to me by next Wednesday, that should be good.” Nai’o said as he sat down at the dining table. I put some sweet leaf leaves at the bottom of some mugs I had made using some clay and poured the nearly boiling water over the leaves before handing a mug to Nai’o.

“Mm. Thank you.”

“How are things with you and Kenyatta?” I asked, sitting down at the dining table and making eye contact with the handsome man.

He shrugged. “They’re good, Kenyatta’s excited to see the Bahari Boyz next week. I’m kind of excited about it too. It’ll be good to spend some good quality time with her.”

“Well, I hope you guys enjoy it. You both deserve a break away from village life.”

“That reminds me, have you talked to Kenyatta? She mentioned that she wanted to take you backpacking for rare herbs and whatnot.”

“I talked to her yesterday and got more rooms put in. If you wouldn’t mind helping me move some of this stuff around for me.”

“Sure. I can help you.” We moved my new industrial bedroom set into the large bedroom. I was putting the last finishing touches on the room when Nai’o came up behind me. “Let me help you,” Nai’o said, as he helped me hang up some decorations around my windows. I also managed to craft a chandelier to hang up at the top of my harvest house. I climbed up on a chair but found it wasn’t quite tall enough to get me up there.

“Corinth, let me help you, I’ll hoist you onto my shoulders and you can attach it.”

“Nai’o you don’t have to do that…”

“I insist, I don’t want you falling.” Nai’o then placed his hands underneath my armpits, and he effortlessly lifted me onto his shoulders. I let out a shriek of surprise as he did this. “There, now you should be able to reach it. Take your time, I could do this all day.”

“You are ungodly strong Nai’o.” I said as I then attached the chandelier to the spot on the ceiling. “There, I think I got it centered, you can let me down now.”

“I like having you on my shoulders, you’re so light, but as you wish. I’ll drop you on the bed, dip your head so we can make it through the doorway.” Nai’o said as he began making his way to my bedroom. I lowered my head to make it through the doorway. Once he got to my bed, he turned around and dumped me on the bed but when he turned around he lost his balance and fell on top of me. Nai’o wrapped his arms around me to cushion our fall.

“Nai’o! Are you okay?”

Our eyes met, and his face was beet red. “Uh, yeah. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Good, good…” Nai’o said, as his eyes met mine. “You’re so pretty Corinth,” Nai’o said, as he leaned down and touched his lips to mine. Immediately, my eyes fluttered closed as I let myself absorb his kiss. I enjoyed the kiss. It was very sweet, innocent, and soft. I brought my right hand up to run it through his hair. My right hand ran down his muscular back, memorizing his grooves through his farm shirt. Nai’o seeing me receptive to his kiss, deepened it.

We made out for a few moments before Nai’o pulled away from me. “T-that was nice.” I said, looking up at him.

Nai’o looked down at me and pulled me closer to him. “I want more…” Nai’o kissed me again, this time sparks flew. The kiss became all-consuming. His lips left mine to kiss my nose, and my neck. I moaned. “Your neck is really sensitive isn’t it?”

“Yes. Reth and I found that out last night.”

Nai’o stopped kissing me. “You and Reth?”

“Yes,” I said, just as Nai’o playfully bit my neck causing me to moan.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to him anyway. I want to explore you, but I know my mom’s probably getting worried about me. I’ve been gone too long. You didn’t need any more help did you?”

“No. I didn’t, thank you Nai’o, for everything.”

“You’re very welcome,” Nai’o said, as he gave me a chaste kiss before getting up off me. “Will come see me next weekend?” Nai’o asked as he helped me off the bed.

“After that kiss, yes,” I said, nodding and smiling up at Nai’o.

“I didn’t come here to kiss you, but…when I have a beautiful girl in my arms, I just can’t control myself.”

“I’m not complaining, but you should probably go. I got to head over to the Inn anyway. After that, I’ll go look for your Briar Daisies.” I said as I followed Nai’o out of my house.

“Sounds good, I’ll see ya in an hour or so. I got some chores to take care of then I will stop by the Inn for your performance.” Nai’o said as we headed our separate ways. Him towards his farm, me towards the Inn. I figured since I was by the fountain I’d give it a once over to see if I could find the answer to the riddle Jina gave me.

Sure enough, there was an inscription on one of the stones.

“In figuring out the clue rests in this fountain, you deserve many congratulations. But gaining entrance to the library requires passing but one final test. You must find a stone that represents the sands of time. Slip that gem into the hilt of your key, and you shall have your revelry."

The sands of time? A pearl? Surely that’s it. I then remembered Jina’s words to me, and I knew she must be mad. I’d be mad too if I were here. I kind of left her hanging.

I walked to the Inn, and Ashura greeted me. He must have seen my defunct mood. “Everything okay kiddo?”

“I pissed Jina by not being able to come back to see her since…well, we kissed. I don’t know why people are so infatuated with me. I’m scared of what I’m becoming. I don’t want to lead people on, I’m not even trying to seduce people. People just keep kissing me.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you and her were that close already. Who else has been giving you a hard time?”

“Well, she kissed me for “research” but yeah, I haven’t been able to go back there because of everything that’s been going…I didn’t mean to make her angry. I’ve been busy.”

“Kiddo, you look overwhelmed with everything. There’s been whispers going around, you and Reth, you and Hassian…”

“Might as well add Nai’o to that list too, because he just kissed me now too.”

“I heard about the stunt Jel pulled too; I mean you’ve helped a lot of people already Corinth. You’re in a rock and a hard place. You’re a person too, you deserve to be treated with respect.”

“Thing is, I’m discovering new things about myself as well. I’ve already asked Hassian and Reth to court me…would it be a bad thing if I did the same to everyone else? Is that unheard of?”

“It’s not unheard of, unusual, yes. That’s completely up to you though. Do whatever makes you happy, polyamory is pretty typical and accepted here.”

“Okay, I see. I guess I should probably get ready for tonight. Did you have those papers I gave you earlier?”

“Yes, I’ll grab them for you, did you need a shot or two of the apple rum to quell your nerves?”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind, don’t go overboard with the drink tonight, that’s all I ask,” Ashura said, as he patted me on the shoulder before I sat down at the piano. I pulled up the key cover. Ashura bought over the papers as well as three shot glasses filled to the brim with the amber rum all cupped nicely in his large hand.

“Three?”

“I was going to take one with you. To toast to a good show tonight.” Ashura said as he handed the papers to me. I took them and set them out on the music stand before taking two of the shots from Ashura’s hand. “Break a leg kiddo, cheers,” Ashura said as he clinked his glass with mine and partook the shot. I took the shot with him. The alcohol burned its way down my throat. I cleared my throat just as Reth came bouncing in with another man in tow. The man wore yellow-tinted glasses, he was a darker-skinned Majiri, and his jet-black hair was dyed with purple and green highlights, and was long, but braided and tied up in a ponytail with stray braids hanging down. If Jel, Reth, and Hassian had a baby, this guy would be a dead ringer. He was devastatingly handsome, and wore a vest, with a long ruffled sleeved dress shirt underneath. He wore simple black slacks. I glanced over at them.

“You guys did shots without me?” Reth said as he came to stand next to me, along with his guest.

“Did you want some? I’m sure Ashura can get some more shots, who is this with you?”

“Oh Corinth, this is who I was telling you about, this is Lars Merrik, Lars, Corinth. He’s the guy I was telling you about from Bahari City who’s been trying to recreate music from the time of ancient humans. I told him you’d be performing tonight, and he wanted to try to watch you in action. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind, but it would’ve been nice to have a heads up,” I said, as I grabbed my shot glass, just as Ashura came over with a couple of more shot glasses and the opened bottle of Bahari Apple Rum. “But it’s nice to meet you Lars,” I said as I turned back to the sheets in front of me. I put them in order.

“Same here Corinth, when I got Reth’s letter I knew I had to come see you for myself. I own a recording studio in BC, I look forward to your performance tonight. If I like what I hear, we can discuss a recording contract, if that suits you.”

“A recording contract?” I turned and glared at Reth. “You didn’t tell me this!?!?”

Holy fuck. As if I wasn’t under enough pressure to do well now that pressure threatened to scare me away from the piano. Could I really do this? My heart began racing in my chest.

“I’m sorry Fancy Pants, just be your awesome self, and here,” Reth said, as he handed the full shot glass that sat neglected on top of the piano. “Drink this shot. You got this Corinth; I believe in you. You’re amazingly talented.” Reth finished, and I took the shot and gulped it down as quickly as I could. Reth kissed the top of my head.

“Good luck.” Lars said, “Just pretend I’m not here and turn this place upside down.”

As Reth and Lars walk to an empty table, Jel and Tish come into the Inn. Jel immediately zeroed in on Lars. “Corinth! Is that who I think it is? Is that the Lars Merrik…”

“Yeah, he came to Kilima to watch me.”

“Oh my Dragon, Corinth…he’s the guy behind the Bahari Boyz. I’m going to let you get ready. Break a leg.” Tish said as she and Jel went to find a seat.

Jina too managed to sneak in, Hekla stayed outside, as usual. Zeki, Kenli, Sifuu, and Hassian eventually showed up.

I began playing. I let myself get lost in the music. The atmosphere of the Inn changed the moment I started playing some of the high-energy songs in my set. People started dancing and having a good time. Jel and Tish, Kenyatta and Nai’o, Badruu and Dalaila, and even Eshe and Kenli danced together. I didn’t even realize two hours of the set had passed but Ashura managed to pull me out of my trance by putting a hand on my shoulder.

“I haven’t seen the Inn this alive in a while. Why don’t you get some food and water in you, Reth made you some food.”

“Okay, thank you, Ashura.” I said as I got up. Ashura ushered me to an empty table before disappearing into the kitchen. Kenyatta walked over to me and sat down across from me. “

“Hey girl, you are so talented. I came over here because I need your help. My mom’s been on my case about declaring a path. Nai’o told me I should give farming a try.”

“Okay, so, you need seeds I take it?” I asked, my eyes meeting Kenyatta’s. She shrugged.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“I’ll have them to you tomorrow sometime.”

“Cool, also, I’m going on a backpacking trip to Bahari Wednesday, I wanted to take you along, figured the fresh air would do us both good.”

“Oh totally. I’m down, I’ll be there,”

“Good, I’ll leave you to eat—”

“Wait, Kenyatta, is that what your mother’s letter to me was about?”

“My mother sent you a letter?” Kenyatta asked as she raised an eyebrow at me.

“Yeah, about you using a salad fork—”

Kenyatta burst into laughter. “I knew that was going to set her off! I love pissing her off. It’s so fun, but yeah, she’s told me I have to declare my path. She loves sending other people to do her dirty work, I swear. Sorry she roped you into this.”

“It’s no problem. I’m just super busy as of late.”

“I get it, I’ll see you around, you’re amazing by the way, don’t ever forget that,” Kenyatta said as she finally got up from her chair and winked at me. I watched her walk away, as Ashura came out with a piping hot bowl of loaded potato soup, a baguette, a pitcher of water, and a glass.

“Enjoy. Just take your time.” More new humans came into the Inn and Ashura left to tend to them. I tucked into the food before me. I saw a shadow stand over the table, and Lars was standing there.

“Can I sit here?” He asked, and I nodded.

“Sure,” I said, as I cleared my mouth of food.

“You are undeniably talented. I would like to offer you a recording contract. Come back tomorrow and I’ll have everything ready to go for you to sign…”

“Am I going to have to move to Bahari City for that? I kind of like the simple life here in Kilima.”

“Well that’s where my studio is at, but if you don’t want to move, that’s fine. We can work out the logistics at a later date.” We made eye contact and I realized he had one blue eye and one green eye. I knew there was a name for the condition, but I couldn’t think of it at the moment.

“Can I talk to Reth, and Hassian before I commit to signing? I mean I would love it, but I’m not even a full-fledged citizen yet.”

“That’s fine, I’ll be here until Sunday. You have until then to decide.” Lars said, as he then got up but then stopped. “Reth wouldn’t have sent a letter of recommendation if he didn’t think I could do something with your talent. I don’t know who Hassian is, but I’m sure he would have no qualms with you signing under me.”

“Okay. Sunday is fine. I’ll give you my answer then.”

“Sounds good. I look forward to the rest of your set. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve heard so far.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. I’ll let you eat.” Lars said as he went back to his table. I finished eating without any further disruptions and drank a couple of glasses of water before I went back to the piano to finish out my set.

It was nearly half past 11 pm by the time I concluded my performance. There was an eruption of applause, accolades, and praise thrown my way. I stood up and bowed. As soon as things had quieted down, I slipped out of the Inn and made my way back to my house.

I knew I needed to head to Bahari Bay, but I wasn’t expecting to find Sifuu waiting for me when I got back to my house. She was slipping a letter in my mailbox.

“Oh! Corinth I didn’t see ya there. You were great tonight! Uh—I left a letter in your mailbox. Read it when you get a chance and come talk to me.”

“Is everything okay?”

“It’s Hassian. The letter explains everything. I could use your help though.”

“Say no more. I’ll read your letter and get back to you when I get back from Bahari Bay. I just need to grab my cloak and some other things I’ll need.”

“Okay, well I’ll leave you to it then. See ya Cori!” Sifuu said, ask she walked out through the gate.

I checked my mail. There was a letter from Chayne, stating that to continue my relationship with Hassian I would have to get to know Sifuu and her letter to me, was that she was trying to write a memoir and she knew I was creative and wanted me to look it over before she brought it to Caleri and that Hassian was down in the dumps after coming across some of Sifuu’s writing.

It seemed like everyone needed my help. Najuma still needed the leather, Jina needed the answer to the riddle and a pearl, Kenyatta needed seeds, Nai’o needed more anchovies and the briar daisies. I was just plumb overwhelmed with all the things I had to do.

One thing at a time Corinth, just focus on one thing…

“Uh—Fancy Pants?” I turned around to find Reth standing on my housing plot.

“Reth, now is not a good time. I have so much to do and not a whole lot of time.”

“Oh—I was going to ask for your help too…”

“What happened now, Reth?”

“Oh—nothing much, just Ashura’s getting really suspicious now. He just caught me…with a package.”

“Reth! I told you; you should’ve just come clean with everything…”

“I know…look you have a lot on your plate. I’ll figure something out.”

“What did you need exactly?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Those packages you brought me yesterday need to be brought to a cave in Bahari, I promise…I’ll do whatever you want. I just need your help this one last time.”

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “Until the next time.”

“You’re the only one I can trust with this though, Fancy Pants.”

I glanced down at the rest of the mail in my hand. There was a letter from Jel with a key to his boudoir. “Reth, do you see all these letters? I’m only one person, I can only do so much.”

“Let’s do it together then. Whatever you need I’ll help you out with it.” Reth said as he started to approach me.

I shook my head. “Reth, it’s going to take me all night. If you have other things to do, it’s best you just leave me to get them done.”

“Corinth, baby, please. Let me help. You’ve done a lot for me. If I help you with the packages and getting them moved, I can also make the cottage core pie and give it to Nai’o…”

“How’d you know about that? Nai’o asked me to keep that recipe a secret, Reth. He just wants me to get more of those oily anchovies.”

“Well I can’t fish, every attempt I’ve ever made has ended with a fishing pole at the bottom of whatever lake, ocean, and river I’ve tried to fish in. I just…I can’t just stand there. I don’t know how anyone has the patience for it.”

“Well, that explains a lot about you doesn’t it Reth.” I said, with a slight smirk on my face. I was being facetious and luckily Reth saw it for what it was. I turned around to grab my cloak. There was a chill in the air tonight.

“It does, doesn’t it, besides, Nai’o and I buried the hatchet tonight while you were performing. You may or may not have come up in conversation.” Reth said as he rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.

“What did you say about me? You probably spent hours cooking that meal you sent to me in the mail.”

“It’s a labor of love? You can just put soup on the stove and do other things while waiting for all the flavors to come together. With fishing, you’re just standing there praying for a bite on the end of your line. There are so many other things I could be doing.”

“Things like what Reth?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Fancy Pants, maybe tasting those sweet lips that drove Nai’o and I crazy, or discovering what’s underneath that clothing of yours, what other things I can do to drive you crazy.”

“Reth,” I let out a breath. My heart lurched into my throat, and I found myself unable to breathe. “You and Nai’o talked about—fuck! Why did I even—look, let’s go get these packages of yours and get them moved…” I said, as I went to pull on my cloak mostly to hide my shame and embarrassment.

Reth could sense this and closed the distance between us. His hands delved into my cloak to wrap around my waist. “Fancy Pants, I don’t mind sharing. He had some balls to kiss you while in a relationship in Kenyatta of all people. If that’s what you’re worried about. I respect him for taking his chance.”

“I’m not worried about that at all, it’s the whole act of doing it I’m scared of. I told you I was a virgin in my previous life and I’m a virgin in this one. Everything I’ve experienced so far has been new and enlightening. I know it’s natural, I know eventually it’s going to happen…”

“Hey, hey, hey…don’t worry about it. When the time is right you’ll know. Whoever you decide to let it be your first time, they’ll make it special and something to remember, that’s the very least they can do.” Reth said as he pulled me to him and leaned forward to kiss me. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his waist. We kissed under the two moons and the stars before he pulled away. “Let’s get those packages, babe.”

“Yeah, we probably should. I do love kissing you though.”

“I feel the same. Your lips are so soft,” Reth said as he withdrew his hands from underneath my cloak. “Did you have everything you’ll need?”

“I think so. Let’s get this done shall we?” I asked as I began walking over to the gate. Reth quickly caught up to me and interlaced his fingers with mine as we exited the gate together.

Chapter Text

Reth and I using the night to our advantage, sneaked into the underground to Reth’s storeroom. Reth, being a gentleman, allowed me some alone time to change out my pad and tampon as I hadn’t done that since the morning, and I was overdue for a change. We quietly stuck all the boxes into my backpack we immediately headed out of Kilima to Bahari Bay. On the way to the cave, I managed to pick up ten briar daisies.

“We’ll be coming up on the cave soon, then afterward, we can go find a river so you can fish for the oily anchovies.”

“Did you get your deliveries done?” I asked as I studied Reth. He nodded.

“Yeah, I did them when you were performing, after I made you some food I slipped out. I wanted to come see you as soon as you were finished. I—I couldn’t stop thinking about our kiss.”

I blushed and brought my hand up to my face. “Oh—I loved that too.”

“I—I know. The cave is right here.”

“Aren’t these human ruins?” I asked as I recognized the architecture outside of the cave Reth was leading me to.

“I guess so. I don’t know much about this stuff.” Reth said, shrugging as we entered the cave. Not much more was said, as we grabbed the boxes out of my bag, and set them down on top of a ledge on the left side of the cave. It didn’t take long to get all the packages there.

“Yeah me either, I lived a bit of a simpler time from what I remember, a time before flow,” I said, as we exited the cave.

“You’ll have to tell me all about it…”

“Well, this world I’ve appeared in is a lot simpler, and honestly I love it. No rent to pay, no car payment, no bills. I just go out and find or grow whatever I need.” I said, looking at Reth. He put an arm around me.

“I guess I don’t understand?”

“Well from what I remember we had our currency, each country did. I lived in the United States so ours was the American Dollar. We paid to live. We had to have a job that paid all of our bills. I remember having an apartment in Las Vegas and having to go grocery shopping once a week, everything was expensive I remember. I had to pay for my college education, and I had to take out loans, so I had to pay those as well.”

“You were a performer, correct?”

“Yeah, I don’t remember how much I was making but it was barely enough to cover all my bills. I guess it was slavery to a point. Slavery to the economy, slavery to big corporations who were in charge of my credit cards, and my loans…we had an illusion of freedom.”

“Kind of like my deal with the cartel then.”

“Yeah,” I said, as we walked past the path that led to the lighthouse. “I guess it’s similar. I wish I could help get you out of it.”

“I know, but trust me, I don’t think you’ll be getting me out of the cartel.”

“Tish doesn’t know?”

“No, neither does Ashura. I’d like to keep it that way.” Reth said, and the tone in his voice told me that this was an uncomfortable topic for him.

“I think you should tell them though Reth. You would have more eyes looking out for you. I know Tish and Ashura wouldn’t want to see anything bad happen to you. Probably even more than I do.” I said, looking up at him.

“I know, but I’ve been good up to this point.”

“Are you sure about that? If I hadn’t been there that one night you got jumped…”

“I know. I have you to thank that I didn’t get hurt more than I did.” Reth said as he kissed me on the top of my head. “You want me to come clean?”

“I think you should, I think you’ll find that they’ll both be understanding.”

“When we get back, I’ll try to have that discussion.”

“If you need me there, let me know. I want to be supportive of you to the best of my abilities.” I said, wrapping an arm around his waist.

“Let’s go get your fish, then I’ll get started on Nai’o’s pie.”

“Reth, baby, you don’t need to do that, I think Nai’o wants to do that himself. Let him. You have enough on your plate already.”

“Uh…stop with the pet names…I just want to help but if you think Nai’o’s got it, then that’s cool. That reminds me, what are you doing say, next Wednesday?”

“Oh, I think Kenyatta invited me to go backpacking with her in Bahari Bay…why?”

Reth suddenly got nervous, his face turned a deep vermillion. “Oh—oh uh no reason. I—uh—no reason at all…just curious.”

My eyes narrowed at him; I knew there was something more. We talked so openly about sex and how he was willing to wait. “Reth, just spit it out, you’re acting shy. Why do you ask?”

“Oh it’s fine, I just…wanted to take you out for a proper date…”

I suddenly found myself wanting to rattle Reth’s bones. “I see, and by proper date, do you mean giving me a pin and pinning me down with that dick of yours?” I asked, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

Reth looked gobsmacked. “Okay, that was blunt, even for you. I do plan on giving you my pin, but I want it to be the perfect timing for you and I don’t want to push you into anything if you don’t feel prepared.”

“It’s going to happen sooner or later, with you or someone else, Reth, you’re not the only one who has eyes for me. Why not just go back to the date you had planned before…”

“Because you deserve a lot more than that,” Reth said, as he shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose as we made our way through the aqueduct. “Let me figure it out, babe. I already told you; that I don’t mind sharing I encourage it. I don’t want to be your first. I don’t deserve it, if you want me to be, that’s on you but that makes me nervous.”

It was my turn to be gobsmacked. “Wait, wait, wait, hang on. You don’t want to be my first?”

“Yeah, I don’t, you’ll know what you like and don’t like then, and if there are things you want to explore sexually I’m more than willing to do that.”

“But—we could—”

Reth stopped ahead of me, and turned around, putting a finger on my lips. “Sh—there’s a Proudhorn sernuk ahead. You said you needed leather? Right?”

“A what?” Reth quickly got behind me placing his hands on my shoulders.

“Look to the left. You can’t miss it.” Reth whispered into my ear. His warm breath hitting my ear caused my nipples to grow hard. I looked to the left and my eyes met the most majestic creature I had ever seen. It’s a striking silver, with glowing cyan markings on his head and body, with massive glowing curved antlers. It was truly otherworldly. I had heard whispers of a glowing disco bambi, and space bambi, to see it with my own eyes, was amazing. It was so close and wasn’t even aware of our presence yet.

“Oh my God. Reth, it’s beautiful.” I whispered, “What do I do? Do I hunt it?”

“You can if you have dispel arrows. Otherwise, I wouldn’t advise it.”

“How do I get those?”

“You need to hunt smaller game until Hassian deems you worthy of receiving them. Let’s head to the river though, the sun will start rising soon and I’ll have to leave you. There’s sernuk in the woods—”

I had taken out my bow and using the technique Hassian had shown me, I aimed and shot an arrow. My arrow bounced off the beast. I frowned as I watched it take off at lightning speed, with a glowing particle trail behind it. “Holy fuck!”

“Or...just shoot at it and scare it away,
” Reth said, as he let out a chuckle. “I told you they required a different kind of arrow. Do you want these anchovies or not?”

“Figured it was worth a shot. Did you see my arrow just ping off it? That was funny. Yeah, the oily anchovies. I have a feeling I’ll have a better shot with those.” I said, and Reth intertwined his fingers with mine as he led us to the river in Proudhorn. I sat by the riverbank and immediately attached a worm to my hook and cast out my line. Meanwhile, Reth sat behind me and allowed me to lean against him for support.

It was relaxing, Reth lavished kisses and caresses. I loved the attention. Honestly, if I wasn’t on my period I probably would’ve pounced on Reth. The man was a tease. When I got tired of fishing I’d hunt for sernuk. Reth helped me dress the three sernuks and the two elder sernuks I dispatched. He was much more efficient and proficient than I when it came to processing the kills. We split the meat, while he let me have the hides and antlers. Reth said they sold for good money.

I managed to catch several oily anchovies, a willow lamprey, some cutthroat trout which I gave to Reth, and a few redfins by the time dawn came around. Reth and I decided to head back to Kilima around 4 am so he could get some rest before his shift at the Inn. On the way back, however, Reth stopped me.

“Hassian’s up ahead, you should go talk to him. I’ll see you around babe.” Reth said, as he tilted my chin up and gave me a passionate kiss.

The kiss was dizzying, and I didn’t want it to end, but Reth was the first to pull away. “When will I see you again?” I breathed, my eyes meeting Reth’s blue ones.

“If you miss me that bad, you know where to find me, but give me some time. I still have a pin to make you and plans to make. You mean the world to me. Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“You’re welcome. I—” The words were caught in my throat, and I swallowed hard, seeing Reth quickly make his way down the path toward the gate to Kilima. I knew he had to get back to sleep, and he wouldn’t hear my words since he was already out of earshot. I love you. Reth.

My eyes caught Hassian greeting Reth as their paths crossed and there was a brief conversation before Hassian’s eyes turned to me. He bowed his head at me, and my heart was racing. I felt like a little girl again, getting caught by my mother for watching something I shouldn’t have been. Shame. That’s what it was. I walked down the path the rest of the way but Hassian too, had walked some of the way.

“Corinth, how have you been? I see you spent the night with Reth.”

“Yeah, we spent time together, we both know my predicament though, don’t we?”

“Yes. Did you find anything interesting while you were out?”

“A proudhorn sernuk. It was the first time I had ever seen one, it was beautiful and majestic.”

“Ah, yes. They’re majestic and magical but you shouldn’t try to hunt them with your current arrow and bow set, I have something that might help you prove to me that you are a worthy hunter. Here.” Hassian said, as he handed me a poster, it was for a chapaa hunt but it was as if a child had drawn the poster.

“A hunt! Great, I see you recruited Auni to help you.”

“Auni? No! Are they not good?”

“No, I’m going to be honest, they look like a child drew them.”

“I resent that,” Hassian said, as he clenched his jaw and glared at me.

“Look, I’m sorry! Maybe Zeki or Tish can help you out? I can take this to one of them if you want me to.”

Hassian let out a breath. “You’re already doing a lot.”

“What’s one more thing? I have to drop things off in Kilima anyway,”

“Fine. Very well.” Hassian said as he turned on his heel to walk away.

“Oh, um, Hassian, before you go, I just want to let you know, I was offered a record deal last night…”

“From Lars?”

“How’d—”

“If you’re asking for my advice, take it.”

“Do you not—”

“You’re scaring away all the prey.”

“Hassian! Are you just going to keep ignoring me? I don’t get you…you seem to want nothing to do with me now. We touched a hell of a lot more before we started courting than we do now.”

Hassian let out a breath of annoyance. “Is that all? Look, I’ll come to you when I’m ready.”

“Fine. Whatever. You’re so hot and cold, I’m seriously reconsidering even going further in this relationship with you.” I said, and I could tell my words stung but at this point, I was fed up. “I swear you’re the one on their period and not me, but I digress. Whenever you pull your head out of your ass, let me know.” I said, and I quickly walked towards the gate to Kilima. I didn’t even give Hassian a chance to reply.

Tears flowed down my face freely by the time I entered Kilima. I ran home and quickly bathed in the pond on my lot. I then went through my backpack and stored everything except the anchovies, and briar daisies. I grabbed a pearl, a pack of carrot, onion, potato, and tomato seeds. I threw the hides I had into the fabric loom to begin the process of making leather.

I then checked my mail and groaned. There was a letter from Auni.

Dear Corinth,

Heya! I thought you might wanna know, but I was playing cards with Hassian yesterday and he said he was SUPER annoyed at you! I dunno what for, but you better go check before he explodes.

Well, he was already annoyed with me but seriously? Can he not see that I’m bending over backward to prove myself here!?!?

The dark clouds that had been looming all night decided to open up and unleash a torrential downpour. “Fuck you Hassian, fucking ungrateful bastard.”

“I’m not surprised you’re blaming the weather on me now too. Why exactly am I an ungrateful bastard?” I heard Hassian say behind me. I turned around quickly in surprise and my foot slid out from underneath me, from the moisture-laden grass. I found myself falling.

“FUCK!” I screamed as I fell harshly on my back. Sharp pain radiated from my shoulders down to my tailbone.

“Gods! Corinth, are you—”

“I’m fine, I’m fucking fine. Don’t touch me.” I said as I got up off the ground and shook my head. My back, ass, and ego were probably going to be bruised, but other than that I was fine. Or so I thought. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you…let’s get you inside, please. I don’t want you getting sick.”

“I don’t need your help Hassian. I’m fine.” I said as I turned to take a step, but a sharp jolt of pain ran down my back and curved around my hips and tailbone, threatening to make my knees give out. I almost fell again but this time Hassian was right there, wrapping an arm around my back and steadying me.

“You’re not fine, stop being stubborn and wrap your arm around me. I’ll get you inside.”

“Hassian I got it…”

“If you’re going to be difficult. Fine.” Hassian said, as he then leaned over and curled an arm around the back of my knees and lifted me effectively carrying me bridal style. I had no choice but to wrap my arms around his neck. I had left my door open and soon we were in the safe refuge of my house. “You added more rooms?”

“Yeah, I needed a bit more space.”

“Looks nice, not that I’d require anything like this. I’m going to set you down on the bed, once I do that flip onto your belly, I want to take a look at your back.”

“Hassian I’m fine, really—ouch!” I said, and there was no denying it, I fucked something up in my back. “Fine. Fuck…what did I do?” I whined.

“You fell and probably landed wrong,” Hassian said as he walked us into my bedroom. “Why does it smell like ormuu dung in here?”

“I don’t know, probably my dirty clothes Hassian. I do help out at the farm when I can. Set me down, please.”

“I need to do this gently, to not aggravate your back.”

“You could slowly rotate me onto my belly.”

Nodding, Hassian squatted and rotated his arms outwards and I rolled onto the bed belly down, as he asked. Hassian then cleared his throat, as he turned on all the lights in the room. “You’ll need to pull up the back of your shirt for me, so I can take a look.”

“That’s fine.” I said, as I went to reach behind me, but sharp pain reverberated throughout my body again causing me to groan. “Actually…”

“I got it, are you okay with me helping you?”

“I’m not wearing a bra or anything, you might see more than you bargained for.”

“I understand, and don’t mind,” Hassian said, and I could hear him swallow hard before I felt hands on the bottom of my shirt. “Ready?”

“Y-yeah.” I said as I took in a deep breath and quickly arched my back outward, as I felt the fabric slide up over the hump of my breasts, then I arched my back in and chest up off the bed with my arms out doing a plank so Hassian could get it off the rest of the way. The whole process was painful, and I bit my lip hard to keep from screaming out in pain.

“You’re already bruising.” I heard Hassian say before I felt his hands and fingers run all over my back. My midback and tailbone areas were the most sensitive and quite painful. “Some of your vertebrae aren’t quite aligned, probably from the fall, you have some bruising of some muscles as well. Chayne’s taught me some techniques, do I have your permission to continue? This will get quite painful.”

“Whatever you think will help, do it. I just want my back to feel better.”

“Okay. Give me a moment, do you have any dari cloves and brightshroom?”

“In my storage chests.”

“Good, I’ll grab it. Don’t go anywhere.”

“Hassian really? I can’t even walk in my state.”

I didn’t hear a response. I just buried my face into my pillow and let out a loud groan. The sound of rain hitting the roof only seemed to intensify. I figured I’d take a deep breath and let the sound relax me. I heard Hassian mess with some things in my kitchen and begin chopping something before crushing something and adding it something on the stove. Secretly I wondered what Hassian what up to, and what he was concocting but I knew I would get my answer soon enough.

I lay there, on my belly, getting lost in the sound of the rain and the various sounds happening in the kitchen. The murmurings in the kitchen stopped

“Okay, I’ve managed to make a medicinal oil. It should help after I make my adjustments. Before this next part, I’m going to take the pillow, so I get your back as level as it can be. If you need to express your pain, do so. Also, I’ll tell you to take a deep breath before each adjustment. There are about four places I need to adjust.”

“Okay, okay,” I said as I carefully lifted my head so Hassian could remove the pillow and I let out a hiss of pain. Hassian put the pillow on the other side of the bed. “Which side do you want me to turn my head?”

“Any side you feel comfortable with,” Hassian said, and I felt his hands on my back. He ran over a series of the most painful spots on my back several to confirm. “Okay, I’m gonna make the first adjustment, take a deep breath.”

As soon as I filled my lungs with air, Hassian pressed down sharply, and my back popped so loudly but the pain was sharp and sent shockwaves out like a lightning bolt. “AH FUCK!”

He ran his hands over that same spot he popped before moving over to the next spot. He adjusted my right leg slightly. “Okay, again, deep breath.”

I took a deep breath as once again, as soon as my lungs were full, Hassian made his next adjustment. “OH FUCK!” I screamed as I heard a deep crack this time followed by a shockwave of pain that quickly dissipated.

“You okay? I need to make another adjustment, a bit lower that I’ll need to rotate your hips for, and then I’ll have to readjust your tailbone. That will be the trickiest one to get right and it might take more than one attempt.” Hassian said, as he lifted my right leg up off the bed and tucked my knee close to my chest. Being in this position, my chest was exposed, and I could tell Hassian was doing everything in his power not to look.

“Okay. Yeah, I’m fine, just do what you gotta do.”

“I will,” Hassian said, as he felt around my lower spine. I guess feeling where and how the adjustment needed to be made. With a hand firm on my right hip and another on my back, he prepared himself. “Okay, take another deep breath.”

I did just that and once again once my lungs were full Hassian made his move. Pressing into my spine while moving my hip the opposite way with a quick, snap, abrupt motion that could be heard echoing off the walls of my bedroom. This adjustment reverberated up my spine, and I was shocked by the intense pain, it took my breath away. Hassian gave me some time to catch my breath.

“That was intense. I’m not gonna lie.”

“I know but I got it, now, on to the tailbone. Can you take your pants off, or do you want my help?”

“Let me try,” I said but as soon as I set up, any pressure I put on my tailbone, set waves of pain. “Ooh, ah—okay, maybe not.”

“It’s fine, lay back.” Hassian said, as his hands closed on the buttons keeping my pants closed. I lay back and allowed Hassian to peel my pants off.

“How do you want me?”

“I need you on your belly, knees underneath you so your bottom is elevated. Your head will be on the bed. It might hurt because the ligament I need to adjust will be stretched.”

I took in a deep breath as I got into the position Hassian instructed me to and it was painful. “You’re right, this hurts.”

“I’ll be quick. Do I have your permission to lower your underwear a bit?”

I blushed deeply at Hassian’s request. “I-it’s fine.”

I felt his hands lower my underwear, so the top half of my ass was exposed. A shiver ran through me as I felt a finger slide to the bottom of my coccyx, where my buttocks started and pressed in. The ligament was sore. It felt strange having Hassian’s finger so close to my anus.

“There’s no need to breathe deep for this one. But this will hurt. I’m going to essentially work this ligament over with my fingers and knuckles until I feel like it’s loosened up then make my adjustment. I’m going to use the oil now to deaden the pain. Let me know if it’s too warm.”

“Okay.” I said, as chewed my lip. The area he was trying to loosen up was terribly tender. I had tears in my eyes. He then dipped his fingers into the oil and went back to massaging that spot. The oil was warm. The pain seemed to slowly disappear.

“I’m going to make my adjustment, in three, two, one.” The pop resounded a wave of pain.

“Ah! Wow!” My breath came out in staccatos as did my voice. Hassian’s fingers didn’t leave that spot. “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…”

“Does it still hurt? The adjustments are done. Lie flat on your belly, and I can get those knots out of your back.”

“Okay. Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m positive,” Hassian said, as lifted the elastic of my panties up over my ass again. He then prepped his hands with more of the oil. Once I was back on my belly, he dripped some of the oil on my bare back, and it was still pretty warm, not enough to scald. It was a little uncomfortably warm. Hassian’s hands quickly rubbed the oil evenly all over my back, even slipping his hands underneath the elastic of my panties to make sure my buttocks were coated. “You have a beautiful body Corinth.”

“Thank you, I just appeared here with it.” This got a chuckle out of Hassian, and I decided to change the topic. The oil Hassian was using smelled amazing. “You said you put dari cloves and brightshooms in the oil? It smells so nice.”

“Yes. The dari cloves act as a numbing agent when applied to the skin, and the brightshrooms, have a multitude of purposes, in this case, it’s relaxing your muscles.”

“Oh, so it’s the dari clove that gives the chapaa masala that mouth-numbing spice. Good to know.”

“Yes! The brightshroom when eaten in high quantities, has been known to cause abdominal upset, diarrhea, nausea, and in high enough doses, abortions, as it causes the muscles to contract rapidly. When applied on the skin, its absorbed into the skin and the underlying muscles relax.”

“But that doesn’t make sense…”

“I know, in small doses, it acts as a muscle relaxant, but in high doses it does the opposite. Kind of like alcohol, in small doses, you’re confident, your heart races, you feel great and in high doses, it depresses you, makes you uncoordinated and if you drink enough, it can kill you. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone dying from too much brightshroom, but I’m sure it can happen.” Hassian said, as he began digging his thumbs and fingers into my back, and shoulder blades working out any knots his hands came across.

“Oh my God, that feels so good.” I half said, and half moaned. “I could kiss you right now.”

“Oh, you’re in luck, I accept payment with kisses. I’m just getting started, I promise you’ll feel better than you have in a while by the time I’m done.”

“You promise?”

Hassian hummed his reply in that delectable baritone voice of his as he continued with the rest of his massage. I found myself in a deep state of relaxation, his hands working lower and lower until they slipped underneath the elastic band of my panties and massaged the muscles there for a bit. It was uncomfortable as I didn’t realize how sore I was.

“Turn over,” Hassian said, pulling me out of my relaxed state. I got up on all fours and put myself in a sitting position on the bed. Our eyes met, and I reached out for Hassian. “Corinth…”

“I want to give you a downpayment,” I murmured. Hassian’s eyes looked over me hungrily as he bit his lip.

“You’re teasing me right now.”

“Come on Hassian, let that feral side of you out to play. You have me here, just in my panties…” I said, as I lay on my back.

“You’re still on your period, as much I would love that, we’re not at that stage yet. Speaking of which, how have your cramps been?”

I blushed deeply. “They come and go.”

“I can try to help alleviate that if you’d like.”

“Hassian, I don’t want to push you to do things you’re not comfortable with. I appreciated the massage and the adjustments you made. If you can hand me my clothes please…”

“I’m not uncomfortable with your nudity if that’s what you think.” Hassian then took off his quiver and began unbuttoning his vest, followed by his green undershirt. He was topless in front of me. He was just as muscular as Nai’o his skin deep purple, his nipples were a deep purple almost black, and they were erect. I bit my lip as I admired his broad shoulders and chest. My eyes moved lower to his abs. Hassian was built, and I wanted to reach out and touch him. There was a trail of hair that started at his navel and disappeared underneath the waistband of his trousers. His eyes followed my gaze. “I think it’s time for you and me to get more acquainted.”

Hassian then worked on getting his boots off and after they were off he started working on his trousers. I sat up and reached out for him again. This time he approached me. I got on my feet, and I took the initiative this time. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and I immediately touched my lips to his. Hassian stopped trying to unbutton his trousers as his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me against him. Hassian moaned in the kiss. My tongue played with his lips, begging for entrance. He opened his mouth a little and I deepened the kiss.

Soon our lips, tongues, and teeth were clashing in an all-consuming kiss. Hassian’s hands slid down to my ass where he grasped handfuls of my flesh and brought our hips together, and I could feel the effect I had on him. My hands did an exploration of their own as well, caressing over his sculpted shoulders, back, chest, and abs eventually ending at the top of his trousers. I pulled away briefly.

“Can I help you with these?”

“Yes. But after that, lay on the bed. I still have to make good on my promise.”

“My back is feeling a lot better though.”

“I know, but there are other ways I can make you feel good.”

I raised my eyebrow but didn’t question him as I unbuttoned Hassian’s trousers and pulled them down. He wore black tight-fitting briefs but couldn’t help but see the sizeable bulge in them. Hassian was blessed. Hassian stepped out of his trousers and kicked them next to his other clothes. I went to turn toward the bed when Hassian grabbed my jaw and kissed me again. We made out again before he pulled away.

“I love your lips. Your kiss. It does things to me.” Hassian spoke, “I could kiss you forever. Lay down.”

“Same here.” I said as I lay down on the bed. Hassian grabbed the bowl of oil.

“I’m going to make another batch, but without the dari clove. We don’t need any numbing to happen, but do you have any spice sprouts?”

“Oh tons, in my storage.”

I wondered what Hassian needed the spice sprouts for. Hassian was gone for about ten minutes, in that time I heard him cut ingredients up and fry them in some oil before coming back with a bowl that was piping hot.

“This is too hot yet, so while I let it cool downtor a more tolerable temperature, I figured, we could get more acquainted,” Hassian said as he set the bowl down on my nightstand. “Scoot over love. I want to taste those lips again.”

I scooted over to the middle of the bed, and Hassian slid next to me his lips crashing on mine. Before his lips left mine. “Can I kiss other parts of you?”

“Hassian, you have my permission to do whatever you want to me. I want you as much as you want me.”

“We can’t go all the way yet, but we can do other things. I just want to explore you with my hands and my lips.” Hassian said, as he kissed my nose before kissing my lips again. His lips left mine to nip and kiss my chin and neck. I moaned. Hassian seemed to delight in this as he sucked and nipped at various parts of my neck. My fingers buried themselves in Hassian’s dreadlocks. They felt very different from Reth’s. Hassian’s were smooth and seemed cared for.

Hassian’s lips and hands explored my breasts. His dreads would tickle the sides of my chest causing me to giggle. He teased my nipples with his tongue, and I found that they got more sensitive the more he played with them. His lips lavished kisses all over my belly and he would playfully blow raspberries on my belly which would cause me to laugh and try to squirm away but his grip was firm on my hips, so I couldn't go far. I was so turned on by the time his kisses made their way back to my lips I kissed the man with everything I had in me and went on an exploration of my own. Hassian’s neck was sensitive as well, and I relished it.

I kissed, licked, nipped, and sucked on spots that ushered a moan from the man until I was sure I tasted blood. I kissed along his collarbone and shoulders before I kissed all over his chest before teasing his nipples like he had done with me. His breathing became shallow, almost panting as my lips kissed lower and lower. I licked down his trail of hair that disappeared underneath the elastic band of his boxer briefs. He was incredibly hard, and there was a wet spot on the fabric. I found myself wanting to rub my face against his manhood. My mouth was watering for some strange reason,

“I wanna…can I…touch it and taste it?” I asked, my eyes meeting Hassian’s and his eyes were wide. Like a deer in headlights. He was fighting himself. He propped himself up on his elbows.

“Hang on. Wait, let me…” He pleaded as he checked the oil by dipping his pinky into it. He hissed as he quickly withdrew his pinky. “Oil is still too warm. I also don’t want to push you.”

“I want to.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay,” Hassian said, as he slid his fingers under the elastic band of his boxers and pulled them down his legs.

“Damn.” I said as I got a look at Hassian’s erect manhood. I reached out and drew a line along the underside of it. Hassian let out a small moan. “It’s so smooth and hard.”

“I’m assuming this is the first time you’ve seen one?”

“Uh, yeah,” I said, as I used more fingers to rub the underside of his rigid penis. I was amazed at how smooth the skin was. Hassian let out another moan. “Is the underside more sensitive than the front?”

“The tip is the most sensitive, but the base and the testicles are sensitive as well.” I then wrapped my right hand around it fully, with my left hand cupping his testicles. I played with his testicles delicately knowing that men felt pain if they took the smallest hit to them.

“Like this?”

“Ah—yeah just like that, move your hand up and down along the shaft,”

“Like this?” I asked as I began to move my hand up and down the rigid shaft, paying attention to a spot just underneath the tip that seemed to make Hassian breathless.

“Fuck—yes like that, play around. Just be gentle.”

As I did this I noticed a clear liquid seeping from the hole at the top of Hassian’s penis, and out of curiosity I leaned down and lapped it up with my tongue. The liquid was salty. I continued licking the tip of his penis, this seemed to elicit a deep moan from Hassian. So, I wrapped my lips around the head of his penis and swirled my tongue around it.

Hassian moaned my name which only encouraged me to take more of him in my mouth and play with him with my tongue. I pulled away, and Hassian had a look of disbelief on his face. “Is this good? Did I go too far?”

“No. I just…I’m super close to coming.”

“I want to taste it.”

“Uhnnn…you’re going to be my undoing Corinth. I fucking swear to the Dragon…I didn’t think we’d get this far. Here I am teaching you how to jack me off and give me a blow job.”

“Oh, sorry. I can stop if you want.”

“Don’t be. Keep going, you’re learning and catching on quickly. You could see how much you can fit in that mouth of yours, and use your hand to hold my cock steady,”

“Okay.” I said, as I immediately took Hassian’s cock into my mouth again, and I tried to get him all inside my mouth, but my gag reflex kicked off, but with enough coaxing, I was able to ignore that. Soon, I didn’t have to do as much work as Hassian was thrusting himself into my mouth, panting, moaning.

“I’m gonna cum, get ready love,” Hassian warned through moans and grunts. His cock contracted and his cum soon coated the back of my throat, it was bitter and thick, slightly salty, but I swallowed everything he gave me. “Fuck! Yes! Corinth…that was amazing.”

I kept my mouth on him until I was sure he was finished before pulling my mouth off him. I looked at him and smiled. “I aim to please,” I said, looking down. “You’re still hard.”

“It’ll be that way for a little while. It’ll go back down after a little bit.” Hassian said, as he pulled his boxers back up. “I can’t believe that actually happened, sorry, I’m just in a bit of shock.”

“I’m sorry. I was just acting on instinct.”

“Don’t be sorry. You were curious.” Hassian said, as he drew in a deep breath, as he pulled himself to a sitting in front of me, and pulled me in for a kiss. “Thank you, let me check the oil, it should be cool enough by now,” Hassian said as he checked the oil. “Perfect. Lay down, it’s your turn now.”

“My turn?”

“Yes.” Hassian purred as he coated his hands in the oil. I lay down on my back, Hassian started with my neck and shoulders, and then he moved to my décolletage area. The oil seemed to heighten my senses and caused blood to rush to the areas Hassian’s hands massaged. Next were my breasts, and my nipples seemed much more sensitive. Hassian’s mouth felt like pure ecstasy as he sucked on each nipple. I moaned.

“Hassian!”

“Feel good?”

“Fuck yes. What’s in the oil?”

“Spice spouts bring more blood flow to the nerves. The brightshoom is still relaxing your muscles as well, so it’s good for your cramps. Remember that day you got angry at me?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“I’m gonna make you feel that again, but ten times more intense. So, I hope you’re ready.” Hassian said as he sucked on my other nipple which caused me to moan out. A shiver ran through me as Hassian’s hands moved down to my abdomen, and he paid attention to the area above my pubic bone between my hips. While it was slightly painful, I found it pleasurable as well. Hassian then peeled down my underwear to my ankles before he poured the rest of the contents of the bowl over my abdomen. “Part your legs for a moment.”

I did what was asked of me, and he slid a finger over my labial lips before he found what he was looking for. The string of my tampon. He wrapped it around his finger before he yanked on it and removed it from inside of me.

“What are you doing?” I asked, looking at Hassian in shock.

“It’s only going to get in my way, love. I’ll dispose of it. I’ll also grab a towel. Be a good girl and stay put.” Hassian said, kissing the top of my head. As he got up he pulled my underwear off the rest of the way and set it to the side of my feet. I waited patiently and Hassian came back with a towel which he set underneath my bottom. He lay down next to me. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll be.” I said, as Hassian coated his right hand in the oil on my tummy and his hand slid down to my womanhood. He coated my whole womanhood, and vaginal entrance with oil. The arousal I felt suddenly intensified. It felt like my clitoris was aching for stimulation, and I wanted to be filled by Hassian. I could feel my sex bloom under Hassian’s touch. I pushed my hips up against his hand. My face flushed, at how needy I had become. “Touch me, please. I need it. I need you.”

“You can’t have that yet, but I can give you the next best thing,” Hassian said, as he whirls a finger around my clit. “Have you felt yourself down here?”

“No, only to put in a tampon, that’s it.”

“Then some exploration is needed, go ahead, touch yourself.”

I whimpered, “Do I need oil?”

“It’s recommended, yes, your flesh down here, is delicate. Right where my finger is, that is your clitoris. It’s full of a lot of nerve endings and nerve bundles. It becomes erect and more sensitive when you’re aroused. If you rub it enough, you will eventually come to an orgasm.”

I coated my fingers in the oil, feeling my fingers tingle once they came in contact with the oil before I slid my hand to where Hassian was touching my clit and replaced his hand with my own. It felt extremely pleasurable. I eventually found a pattern that grew my excitement. Hassian then turned his attention to my breasts and nipples. My breathing grew ragged, as I could feel something powerful building. I pressed in harder and I tapped at my fleshy nub with increasing intensity. Soon something broke free and I became weak as pleasure rolled out over my body like a wave. Hassian’s hand took over for me as he kissed my neck.

“Hassian! Hassian!”

“I got you, let it go. Let yourself feel this.” Hassian said and he continued rubbing my clit through my orgasm and an even more powerful wave of pleasure came crashing over my body. I cried out as my hands clenched handfuls of my sheets, and my toes curled my hips moved up to meet Hassian’s fingers, but he did something I wasn’t expecting. He inserted a finger inside of me.

“Hass—Hassian—what are you—” He then curled his oil-laden finger and hit a spot that made my orgasm even more intense. “—Fuck!” Another finger soon joined the first, and with a pumping action of his fingers, all the tension we both built up inside of my body came to a climax, my pussy, and uterus contracted hard and something came rushing out of me. With every powerful contraction, I let out an ear-piercing scream, and Hassian’s name was thrown out like a prayer, I had lost complete control, and I loved every second of it. I closed my eyes, and my body was its own entity completely separate from me and any conscious thought for a blissful few seconds before Hassian brought me down, and when I caught a glimpse of conscious thought I was clinging to him. He let out a low chuckle, seemingly pleased by my reaction before kissing me passionately.

“Wanna do that again?”

“I don’t if I can take anymore…” I whimpered breathlessly. My leg bumped into something wet, and I glanced down at the towel Hassian placed down was saturated with blood and various liquid. “Oh my God, I made a mess. Did I do that?”

“That’s the beauty about your body Corinth, you can go to this place as many times as you want. You’re a squirter. There’s nothing wrong with that. Let me take you there again. Just to prove my point.” It didn’t take Hassian long to bring me to that place again. This time, Hassian brought my hand to his cock, and I jacked him off. It didn’t take us long and we were both orgasming together. His cum landed on my hand, and his stomach. Our lips mashed together as we each carried each other through our climaxes.

We were breathless and relaxed in this world we built for ourselves. “Are you good? I’m sorry I made a mess of your hand.” I asked as Hassian withdrew his hand from me, his fingers and hand were bloody.

“Yeah, it’ll wash off.” He then held my hand up to my face. “I made a mess out of your hand too, so we’re even,” Hassian said, but I upped the ante and licked his cum off my hand and fingers.

“Mm. Yummy.” I teased, and Hassian bit his lip.

“You’re going to be undoing. I swear, but we should get cleaned up.” Hassian said, as he offered his clean hand to help me off the bed. He picked up his clothes with his clean hand. I quickly grabbed my panties off the bed and peeled them on. My legs were still wobbly. Hassian walked into the small room I built next to my bedroom. “Is this supposed to be your bathroom?” Hassian asked, looking at me as he noticed the emptiness.

“Yeah, but I don’t know how to get a tub, a sink, toilet, or any of that.”

“I’ll talk to Reth. You need all the things, my love.” Hassian said, as he pulled his clothes on all with his clean hand. He walked out fully dressed. “You want to grab me that towel off the bed?”

“Yes.” I said as I grabbed the towel, luckily, none of the blood and fluids soaked onto the bed linens. I handed him the towel and he held it up to his nose and breathed it in. I looked at him shocked. “Ew! What are you doing?”

“Admiring my hard work, and what I made you do.”

“That’s gross.”

“No. Smell it, yes, there’s blood, but most of it is sweet smelling.”

I cringed and pulled my head away, shaking my head as I did so. “Uh, no thanks. I’m good.”

“Come on Corinth, smell it.”

I let out a sigh, but I was also curious about what I smelled like. So, I leaned in toward the towel Hassian had stretched out to me and gave the air a sniff around the towel. There was a slight smell of iron, from my blood, but a sweet aroma as well. It was akin to the smell of purple clover. I pulled my eyebrows together, kind of shocked. “That’s me?”

“Yes. That’s all you.”

“It is very sweet, like clover.” I commented and our eyes met. Hassian gave me a sweet kiss on the lips.

“You should get dressed, I’m going to take this outside and get it washed up for you.”

“I still need to check my mail, oh! Speaking of which, I got a letter from Auni, saying that you were upset with me. What’s up with that?”

“I’m not upset with you. That does explain why you were cursing me out when I came here though. We wouldn’t have done what we just did if I was angry with you. I know you’re pulling your weight around here. I was in a bad mood last night because I missed you, but I enjoyed the music you played last night. If you want to, check in with Zeki, Auni and Chayne when you have a chance. I know you got other things on your plate at the moment, but they could all use your help too.”

I nodded. “I will,” I said, I licked my lips. “Can I get another kiss?”

“Of course,” Hassian said as his lips touched mine sweetly, but he didn’t deepen it. “Let me get washed up, you probably should too.”

I nodded as we both walked outside together and used my pond to wash up.

Chapter Text

The rain had dissipated by the time Hassian, and I set to the task of cleaning ourselves and washing the towel. Hassian helped me clean up my kitchen before he left to stand at his usual spot by the windmill outside of Kilima. I, in the meantime, decided it would be a good time to get some requests turned in. I immediately headed out to Jina who was out in Mirror Pond.

She looked at me, as I approached, her face full of contempt. “Hey Jina, hey Hekla, I think I figured out the riddle for your key. I found an inscription at the fountain in the town square, and I think it’s referring to a pearl. ‘A stone that represents the sands of time.’ If I correctly remember an oyster usually encapsulates any irritants and they turn into pearls over time.”

“So you're saying that the clue we were looking for was actually the fountain? And the clue about requiring "a thirst for something more" was the water in the fountain? Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, and when you got to the fountain there was another clue...it said the door we've been trying to open is an old library and I need to put a "stone that represents the sands of time" into the hilt of the key to open the door...And you deduced the stone must be a pearl since a pearl is made from sand plus pressure over time. Right?”

“Yes. Jina, are you going to repeat everything I say? Here, I have a pearl. Try it and see for yourself.” I said, pulling the pearl out of my bag, and handing it to Jina. Jina took it out of my hand.

“Well, I guess there's no harm in trying it out. Now let me slip the pearl into the key. Here we go.” The key glowed and suddenly became whole. “And voila! Why don't you go open the door since you did all the work?” Jina said, winking at me, as she handed me the key. I felt a smirk line my lips as I took the key from Jina walked over to the door put the key into the keyhole and turned it. The door lurched and started to separate. Revealing a large facility. “You did it! I can’t wait to see what books and writings ancient humans had access to. I could kiss you right now Corinth, I’m so happy!”

“I’ll take a raincheck on that because you know,” I said, nodding my head toward Hekla. Jina blushed and giggled.

“Oh! I know. I have missed you though, something awful.”

“I tend to have that effect on people here I’ve noticed,” I said, looking at her as we entered the ancient library. It smelled of musty books. I found myself loving the smell of the place.

“I mean, I’m impossible not to like you Corinth, you’re smart, talented, funny, and just overall a great person. I’m glad we met. I genuinely mean that.”

“Aw, thank you, Jina. I try. Let’s explore the library here and see what’s in here.” I was eager to check out the place.

“Jina, I will stay out here,” Hekla said, in her robotic voice. Jina looked at me, giddy with excitement as we explored the library. I glanced at some of the books, but a lot of them were pretty destroyed. Time had not been kind to most of the contents of the library.

Some shelves were easily fifteen feet tall, but some had collapsed over time. I mean it had been easily five thousand years since humans last roamed the Earth. Some of the titles on the bindings of the books were still legible even after all the millennia that passed. I was amazed.

“Most of these books are in a state of decay,” Jina said, as she picked up a book that had a cluster of brightshrooms growing out of it.

“Ooh brightshrooms. I—” But Jina pulled the book away and held up her hand.

“Nope, I wouldn’t trust them if I were you. The only brightshooms you should consume should be big and growing on the ground near ruins. These are too small and are growing out of a book.” She let out a sigh as she set the book down. “Corinth, while I have you alone, I wanted to talk to you.”

“Sure,” I said, as I turned my attention back to the shelves, trying to determine what kind of books were still viable on them, if there were any.

“Who else are you involved with? I mean, you don’t have to tell me. I know that’s probably your business, and none of mine.”

“Well, I’m still learning things about this place, your people, and your customs. I’ve become close with Reth and Hassian, I’ve kissed you, and Nai’o as well.”

“Nai’o? I thought he was with Kenyatta?”

“Yeah, color me surprised. I don’t know if I should talk to Kenyatta about that or keep it to myself. She and I are going backpacking next Wednesday. I might tell her then, then again, I have seed packets for her. She’s trying to figure out her path.”

“Interesting. Have you done anything else?”

“Hassian and I were together earlier this morning, we got more acquainted.”

“Oh, oh…I want details.”

“Well we didn’t go all the way, I’m menstruating at the moment, but I learned more about the male anatomy and my own and know what my body is capable of,” I said, looking over at her. Her face flushed.

“Oh, wow. Does Reth know about Hassian, and vice versa?”

“Reth knows everything, about our kiss, my kiss with Nai’o, the stunt Jel pulled, and that Hassian and I are getting close. He is adamant about not wanting to be the one I give my virginity to. He’d rather wait until I have some experience under my belt, that way if there’s anything I want to explore we can do it together.” I said, as I continued looking through the books, pulled out ones I thought weren’t destroyed, and set them aside for Jina for later. “Hassian, he knows about Reth and Jel’s stunt, I mentioned kissing you but doesn’t know about Nai’o. I have a suspicion he knows Nai’o’s been in my house. He mentioned smelling ormuu dung.” I said, as I let out a snort of amusement. “I would like to get close to everyone. I know I’ve been a bit flighty with you as of late, but only because I’m trying to help people here and prove that I can be part of the village.”

“Oh, I understand that. I’m sorry I got so angry with you. I should have known you held only the purest intentions. It’s not like I go around kissing everyone. Have you determined your sexuality? Like are you more into men or women?”

“I’m attracted to Majiri. I don’t find any of my fellow humans remotely attractive. I don’t understand it honestly. Female or Male Majiri, it doesn’t matter to me. I find myself attracted to Majiri.”

“Well, if you want to take things further with me, I like chocolate. Some people like rare things, like a heart drop lily.”

“I gave chocolate to Reth, and a lily to Hassian. I don’t have any chocolate on me at the moment, but I can run to Zeki’s and buy all the heart-shaped chocolate box—” Suddenly Jina thrust herself at me, her soft lips on mine. Our bodies collided as my back met the bookcase, the wood creaked and rocked slightly at the impact but luckily it didn’t come crashing down on top of us.

“Why do you have to be so fucking desirable!?!?” Jina said as she peppered kisses all over my face. “I have never felt this way about anyone, Corinth. I just want to touch and kiss you.” I stopped her, my hands cupping her face. Our eyes met, and she had tears in her eyes. “I thought I scared you away. I thought you didn’t like me like that. I felt like a fool who couldn’t control herself.”

“Jina, Jina baby, look at me. I loved that kiss. I’ve just been busy as fuck trying to pass these tests that Eshe has put me through and help everyone solve their issues. I’ve gotten closer to people and discovered things about myself in the process. It had nothing to do with you, and I’m sorry for putting you through that. I care about you deeply. I’ll come back with the biggest box of chocolate Zeki has and ask for your courtship, if it will make you happy.” I said, as I swiped my thumbs up underneath her large glasses and wiped away her tears.

“Cori, hold me. Kiss me. I just want to feel close to you while you’re here.” Jina said her doe eyes looking at me, pleading with me. This time, I kissed her, and the kiss soon became all-consuming. I pulled her body as close as I could against mine, but it still didn’t feel close enough. I pulled off Jina’s ascot and this seemed to pull Jina back to reality. “Cori, what are we doing? Hekla is outside.”

“I’m kissing you. Do you want me to stop? You and I are alone, Hekla might be outside, but she isn’t in here now.” I said, “I might be on my period, but I can still give you pleasure…” I purred, as I wrapped Jina’s ascot around her waist and pulled her back to me. Jina giggled, seemingly loving my playful nature.

“I’m in the same boat Cori, I started mine yesterday,” Jina whispered. My lips made a small ‘o’ as I let go one side of the ascot before handing the ascot back to Jina who graciously took it back from me and tied it back around her neck.

“I see. So, chocolates?”

“Yes, and cuddles, lots of cuddles,”

“I can do you one better, Hassian showed me a home remedy to get rid of my cramps.”

“You get cramps too? Oh my Dragon, menstrual cramps are the worst. I’ll take any remedy I can get that this point.”

“Well, I need to drop some anchovies and briar daisies to Nai’o and give Kenyatta these seeds, and I’ll need more dari clove.”

“Ashura might have some,” Jina said, as she approached me again and kissed me. “As much as I don’t want to let you go, I know you’ll be back, right?”

“Yes. I also got that glider now, so we should check out the rest of the Temple of Waves while we can.”

“Yes. Let’s do that. I’ll wait for you here.”

I pointed to the pile of books. “While you’re waiting, you can check out those books with Hekla and see if there’s anything of value in them. They haven’t been completely destroyed.”

“Oh I will, Corinth, thank you. I look forward to seeing you.”

“Same here,” I said, as I began making my way towards the door. “I’ll be back okay?”

Jina nodded and waved me off. I exited out of the library, and quickly made my way to the farm, greeting Hekla on my way out. I headed straight to the Daiya family farm, and Nai’o was out there as usual watching out over the ormuus. He saw me approach from a distance and waved to me. I waved back as I hopped over the fence.

“Hey Nai’o, I come bearing gifts for you,” I said, swinging my bag off my back and pulling out the handful of oily anchovies, and the bouquet of briar daisies before handing them over to him.

“Oh, these are perfect. Thank you Cori,” Nai’o said, as he set both items on the fence. “I wanted to talk to you too, did you have time?”

“I can spare a moment,” I said, biting the inside of my lip.

“Um, so, that kiss…I don’t want you to think I’m a player, I don’t know what I was thinking doing that. I was just in the moment, and it just happened.”

“I liked it. If you don’t want me to tell Kenyatta, I won’t, but eventually, she’s going to find out.”

“I-I know. I just…I’ve been doing some thinking, that’s all. I just can’t believe that I did that, but I want nothing more than to do it again. I’m a mess, Cori. What do I do?”

“Nai’o don’t worry your pretty head about it. I know you and Kenyatta are together. I’ll give you time. I have some seeds to drop off to Kenyatta anyway, I’ll be backpacking with her on Wednesday.”

“Well, my family said they wanted to come over to your plot before they leave this weekend and make you a meal, you know to show their appreciation for everything you’ve done for us here. Also, I wanted to give Kenyatta a bouquet of her favorite flowers. She loves Crystal Lake Lotuses.”

“Sure, I can get right on that. As for the dinner, let’s aim for Thursday. Sound good?”

“Yes, I’ll see you Thursday,” Nai’o said, his face erupting in a grin from ear to ear.

“Okay see you Thursday,” I said, as I pulled my backpack back on. “Bye Nai’o.”

“Bye Cori! Thanks again!”

I took off and headed straight to the town hall. Kenyatta was still there.

“Hey Kenyatta!”

“Hey what’s up? Have you found anything about my dress? Jel said he sent you a key to his boudoir in the mail.”

“Oh shit! I haven’t checked my mail yet, he did tell me to check back in with him, I’ll have to do that. I’m sorry…”

“No problem, I know you’re busy, I saw you and Hassian holding hands yesterday, you two courting?”

“Yes, Reth and me too actually.”

“Dayum girl, you move fast. I don’t see any pins yet though.”

“Yeah, I’m still in the early stages…trying to abide by customs and all that.”

“Ooh, I see. So why are you here? Did you want to add more rooms to your house?”

“No actually, I have your seeds,” I said as I pulled out my seed packets and placed them on the desk. Kenyatta took them and looked through them.

“Oh! Yeah, I totally forgot I asked you for those. Cool! So, I just... stick them in the dirt and wait? That doesn't sound so hard.”

“Yeah, gardening is pretty easy.”

“I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks, Cori. Here, this should cover the cost.” Kenyatta said as she tossed a small sack of gold on the desk. I stuck the sack of gold into my bag.

“Oh cool, thanks, so are we still on for Wednesday?”

“Yeah, just meet me by the stables at 5 am. I’ll send a letter letting you know how this little endeavor goes, but you should go get Jel’s key and see how my dress is coming along. I hope it looks good. Let me know too.”

“I will, catch ya around?”

“Yep see ya later.”

I left townhall and raced back to my plot and checked my mail. I received a letter from Reth, with five boxes of chocolates attached to it, which was perfect. I shoved a box of chocolate into my backpack for Jina. The next letter was from Chayne requesting I come to see him at my earliest convenience regarding the results of the sleeping potion. The next letter was from Jel, asking me to come see him and come check the progress he made on Kenyatta’s dress along with the key to his boudoir.

My heart was racing as I held Jel’s key in my hand. I headed back out again, this time headed to Jel’s shop. I walked in and Jel was hunched over his sewing machine and heard me come in.

“Corinth, what a lovely surprise!”

“Good Afternoon! I’m here to check out how much progress you’ve made on Kenyatta’s dress…”

“Ah, yes. That's right. Just go upstairs to my boudoir and I'll meet you post-haste. I just need to finish this stitching.”

I nodded as I walked upstairs and using Jel’s key I opened the door to his bedchambers. Upon the mannequin stationed in front of the mirror lay Kenyatta’s dress. I was surprised by Jel’s craftsmanship. The dress screamed Kenyatta to the T, I could see her rocking the dress like the confident Majiri woman she was. The dress was red and black with a train. My fingers ran over the lace and fabric of the dress before touching one of the piranha teeth along the neckline. “Damn Jel, you outdid yourself on this one.”

“You think so?” Jel said, causing me to jump. I turned around sharply with a hand over my racing heart. “My apologies, I thought you heard me come in.”

“No. You snuck up on me. But yeah, the dress, every stitch screams Kenyatta. You truly outdid yourself.”

“So, here it is. The garment that will finally earn me the right to stitch my family name into my clothes. Kenyatta's dress for the Bahari Bay Ball. I have to say I agree with you Corinth, I've outdone myself this time. Those socialites will be thinking they stepped into an art gallery, not a mere dance! So, what do you think? Truly, tell me what you think?”

“I love the lace, the colors, the train, especially the piranha teeth. It’s perfect Jel. It really is.”

“Really? You think so? You don't find the colors too garish? Or the neckline too vulgar? Are you sure she can walk with the ridiculous train? Ah, what was I thinking when I created this gown? I must tear it up and start over at once!” Jel said as he took his scissors out, but I got in between him and the dress.

“Hell fucking no! Jel, don’t you even think about it! This is a work of art. You’ll have to get through me to get to the dress because there is no fucking way you are cutting it up or starting over.”

Jel smirked, before he placed the scissors down on an end table, next to the dress before I found myself hoisted over Jel’s shoulder and dumped onto his bed. Before he turned quickly on his heels to grab at the scissors, I launched myself off the bed, and quickly wrapped my arms around his midsection tightly and squeezed effectively pinning his arms to his body. “I will start over. Corinth! Unhand me this instant!”

I only tightened my hold on Jel. He truly was unhinged at the moment. “Jel. NO! Please stop. Put down the scissors. Please?”

“Ah!” Jel said, as he threw the scissors down and sank to the floor. “I just want to appease my mother; I want to earn my right in the family line. This is driving me absolutely mad!”

“Let’s talk about it,” I said as I loosened my grip on the man before picking up the scissors and sticking them into the waistband of my pants before sitting down on Jel’s bed. “What going on? Why are you so eager to sabotage yourself? Do you not see how undeniably talented you are? Here, come sit down on the bed. Relax and talk to me.”

Jel got up off the floor and sat next to me on the bed. “It’s my oldest sister. She’s once again gotten underneath my skin. I don’t want to bring my family drama to you Corinth,”

“We’re friends, Jel, talk to me, what did your sister do?” I asked, making eye contact with the man.

“Yes,” Jel let out a breath. “We are friends—” He was about to say something else but stopped himself. There was a pregnant pause before he continued. “My eldest sister Amara is holding a party for my parents’ anniversary, and she put me in charge of the canapes. I know absolutely nothing about cooking. She knows this and wants to make me look like a fool in front of my mother.”

I looked at him. “That’s why you almost lost your shit and damn near tore up Kenyatta’s dress? Your sister asked you to bring canapes to a family get-together. You know Reth can probably help you with that, right? Hell, I can probably help you out with that.”

“I know. It’s ridiculous. That’s not the only thing weighing on my mind, however.” Jel said, his eyes looking over my body. “Reth told me you and him are courting.”

I chewed my lip. “Let’s get back to the topic at hand Jel, we can discuss Reth and I’s relationship later. Why haven’t you told your sister that you’d rather do another role for the party?”

“All my family is in Bahari City, the party is in two weeks, there’s simply not enough time to communicate my wishes.”

“I see. Should I talk to Reth for you and see if we can come up with something for you to take to the party?”

“I can’t ask you to do that Corinth,”

“That’s what friends are for Jel…”

“I’m just going to come out and say it, Corinth I see you as more than a friend. You have become a muse to me. My heart races every time you enter my shop and I always long for the time we are in the same room together.” Jel then grabbed something from underneath his pillow. “I’m obsessed with the mere idea of you. You have been occupying my thoughts.” Jel said as he handed me a book.

It was a sketchbook. I opened it and began thumbing through the pages. Some sketches were of Kenyatta’s dress, but as I got further in, a lot of the pictures were of myself, in various outfits and as I thumbed through the pages the amount of clothing on my body became less and less until the last few pages were of me completely nude in suggestive and lewd poses. The last page had me and Reth in coitus together with Jel looking on. The amount of detail poured on Reth was surprising. I slammed the book shut. “Wow. I—” I swallowed hard. My face was so hot. My whole body felt hot, and I had beads of sweat on my nose and forehead. “Um…I don’t know what to say. You draw amazingly well, but I’m in a state of shock.”

“I’m sorry Corinth, you probably think the worst of me. Like I’m a savage or a sex depraved lunatic.”

“I don’t actually.” I said, “I know you said you liked me; I’ve been keeping my distance because I didn’t want another incident to happen…you know? I think it’s kind of endearing.” I then opened the sketchbook again to the last page. “The amount of detail you spent on Reth’s body…I’ve only seen the top half of his body and you got the mole on his left shoulder, and the scars…I haven’t seen him from the waist down yet,”

“You and Reth haven’t—I see. Reth and I were together at one point. Romantically.”

“What happened?”

“The scars, he came to me right after. He confessed that night he was deep in the cartel. I couldn’t bear to see him go through that. I patched him up, he made himself vulnerable to me that night, and I told him it couldn’t work between us. I feel terrible about that night, we fought because he needed to tell Ashura and Tish. It was a nasty fight.”

“Sounds like what he and I talk about a lot if I’m honest,” I said as thumbed through the sketchbook again. “Did you love him?”

“Yes, but you can’t force people to change. I have chosen to love him from a distance, he's not an easy one to love. I do miss him. Do you love him?”

“Yes,” I said, as I closed the sketchbook and handed it back to Jel. Jel took it and set it on his lap before he grasped my chin gently and turned my face to look into his eyes.

“If anyone can make him see the error in his ways, it’s you,” Jel said, as he leaned in, and his lips touched mine. My eyes closed immediately, and my heart fluttered in my chest, my stomach seemed to flip, and goosebumps raced over my skin. Jel pulled away. “Kissing you is like kissing the softest silk my muse. I want more but you have to talk to Reth on my behalf.”

“About the canapes, that’s right. I’ll do that and here,” I said, as I took Jel’s scissors out of the waistband of my pants and handed them back to him. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I won’t. I look forward to seeing you again.” Jel said, as he got up and opened the door and held it open for me. My head was swimming, but I got up and exited Jel’s boudoir. I headed over to the Inn next. I knew I needed to talk to Ashura and Reth and I might as well talk to Lars while I was here. Reth was still working his shift at the Inn.

“Cori! Would you like a bowl of loaded potato soup?” Reth asked, winking at me.

“Yeah, for old times’ sake, I got something to talk to you about anyway. I also got your chocolates.” I said as I sat at the bar. The Inn was pretty dead as it was a little after three in the afternoon. Reth went to grab some soup.

“Oh, good! What are you up to today beautiful?” Reth asked as he came back with a bowl of piping hot loaded potato soup.

“Oh, just talking to people and getting caught up on my errands. I talked to Jel, and I was wondering if maybe you could give me the canapes recipe so I can make them for him. His sister I guess signed him up to bring canapes for his parents’ anniversary party.”

“You know Jel’s father’s been passed for the last eight or nine years, right? Besides Amara’s always been mean to Jel.”

“What? He failed to mention it.”

“Him and his father weren’t super close. Every year they throw a party for Jel’s mother Barinka. If I remember correctly it’s not for another two weeks, so he’s got time.”

“Curious, you failed to mention that you and Jel were lovers at one point in time,” I said, as I stirred up the soup in an attempt to cool it down a bit.

“I thought I did tell you? Seriously?! Shit. Well, obviously Jel told you. Also, you’re asking for one of my super-duper top-secret recipes. I’m sorry, but no can do. That recipe is locked inside my vault of deliciousness, and I’m afraid I ate the key.” Reth said as he smirked at me.

“Is there truly bad blood between you and Jel? I knew when I first arrived, you two were going tit for tat on who could get to me first.”

“No bad blood, nothing like that, we’re still friends. If you haven’t noticed, I’m not the easiest guy to love. Why you tolerate me, is beyond me.”

“Because you are genuinely an amazing man Reth and while you might be stubborn, you’ve met your match with me. Back to the topic of the canapes, why can’t I have the recipe? It would mean a lot to me. Please?” I asked, giving Reth my best puppy dog expression.

“Don’t give me that face. You know I can never turn down that face! I’ll tell you what, you get me the ingredients for the canapes, and I’ll whip them up for you.”

“You got a deal,” I said as I watched Reth quickly grab a scrap of paper and write down the ingredients he needed before handing it to me.

“I know you have a lot on your plate. You get the ingredients and I’ll make the canapes and I’ll make sure to get them to Jel before his party…” Reth then leaned across the bar so his face was close to mine. “He kissed you, didn’t he?”

“How’d you know?” I asked as I ate a spoonful of soup.

“You came in with a look like you had been just kissed,” Reth said, as he curled a finger underneath my chin and turned my head to meet his gaze. “You truly are amazing Corinth,” He was about to kiss me, but Ashura came in right before our lips were about to touch. “Ashura! Uh…”

“Was I interrupting something? My apologies.”

Both Reth and I were red with embarrassment. “H-hey Ashura.” I managed to stutter out in greeting.

“You two courting now?” Ashura asked as he set down some rainbow trout on the counter next to me. “Reth, I caught some trout for you for tonight.”

“I’ll get to cleaning it Ashura, thanks, and uh—yeah Corinth gave me chocolates.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, Zeki gave them to me and told me to give them to him. I didn’t know they were a symbol of love here.”

This caused Ashura to let out a deep belly laugh. “Ah, so Zeki set you up. That sly cat. Can’t say that I oppose it though. Reth needs more people to look out after him.”

“Oh, Ashura, do you happen to have any dari clove I can buy from you? I used the last bit of mine for Chapaa Masala.” That was a lie, but I didn’t want to say where the only dari clove I had gone to, that was private.

“I have quite a bit; Let me grab you ten and take it from the total I owe you. I still need to pay you for last night anyway.”

“Oh awesome, thanks. I’ll be here eating the rest of this soup.”

“Good, I’ll be back down in a second,” Ashura said, as he walked upstairs. Meanwhile, Reth got to work cleaning the fish. I managed to finish the bowl of soup before Ashura came back down, with a sack of gold in one hand and a bundle of dari cloves in the other. He set the items down on the counter next to me opposite to where he set the trout earlier. “750 coins, and ten dari clove. Also, Lars is still here, you should probably go talk to him. He’s been asking if you’ve stopped by.”

“I’m right here.” Lars’ baritone voice announced. “Hey Corinth, I was just about to check out the area. If you have some time, we could go for a walk, and talk some things over?”

“Sure. Let me get these things put away, can we go to Sifuu’s house on the way? I needed to stop in and check with her too. I’ll also need to purchase some things from Zeki’s shop too.”

Ashura looked at me with a puzzled look on his face. “You and Hassian…”

“We’re courting too.” I said, “Reth already knows.”

“Oh wow. Okay. I mean, I figured with how you and Hassian were holding hands the other day.”

“Yeah. Hassian kind of made a public spectacle of it.” I said, as I put the dari cloves and the gold in my backpack. Reth came to the counter and grabbed my empty bowl.

“Well you both did; I couldn’t help but hear everything you said that day. You have a good head on your shoulders, even if Hassian and others disagree. Clearly, you are meant for great things Corinth, but I will let you go. You and Lars have a lot to catch up on.” Ashura said, as he put a hand on my shoulder and walked back out of the Inn again.

“We do.” Lars said simply. I glanced back at Reth, and he winked at me. I found myself wanting to taste his lips again, but I knew that would have to wait as I pulled my backpack on. I looked up at Lars. “You ready?”

“Yes.” Lars said, he then turned to Reth. “Did you need anything while I was out dude? I have to thank you again for telling me about her by the way.”

“Hey, no problem dude. If you can get some mountain morels I could use more, and Lars, enjoy her company. She’s amazing.”

“I will,” Lars said, before he looked back at me. The moment our eyes met; I could see all of his ancestors’ flash in my mind. He came from a line that was sent here originally. I froze and my jaw dropped. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah—I—you come from a long lineage don’t you?”

“We all do,” Lars said, as he took a step out of the Inn. “Are you coming?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I’m going to stop at the general store quickly. I need to pick up some cooking oil so I shouldn’t be too long.” I said as I followed behind him.

“Sure. Are you getting on here in the village? Life here seems very…simple and the air is so clean. It’s nothing like the city.” Lars said, as he looked down at me. I couldn’t get over how attractive he was and how he had a green eye and a blue eye.

“Yes, I’ve come to love Kilima and the people who live here. How did you and Reth meet?”

“We were friends in grade school. We always ran together, and we never lost touch, even after all these years. I was in the same class as Tish, speaking of which, she’s made quite a name for herself here too. I’ve bought a few of her pieces over the years. Her new sets though, they’re beautiful.” Lars said as we stopped in front of the store. “I’ll wait here while you get your items.”

“Yeah, I’ll be right back,” I said, as I went inside Zeki’s shop.

“Ah! Corinth! Business is booming, what can I get for you?”

“I’ll take 30 bottles of cooking oil, please?”

“Okay, 30 bottles of oil, here you are, that’ll be 600 coins.”

I handed over the gold. “Here you go, thanks Zeki!”

“You’re very welcome,” Zeki said, as he counted the coins. I walked out of the store and met up with Lars again.

“I want to take a look at your place,”

“Yeah, we can stop by if you want. I need to drop some of this oil off anyway and water my crops. You wouldn’t happen to have the time would you?”

Lars glanced at his wrist. “It’s almost four thirty.”

“Oh good, we can stop by my place and I can give you the tour. Sifuu also asked that I read a book and give her my feedback.” I said, looking at Lars.

“The people here seem to rely on you a lot.”

“Well, I want to prove that I can be trusted and relied upon.”

Lars seemed to smile. “I see how people have become so enamored with you. You wear your heart on your sleeve, I like that about you. Have you tried writing your own music?”

“No. I don’t know. I’d like to give it try…”

“Once we get to your house, I want you to try to write a song.”

“I don’t have any instruments.”

“That’s fine, just write down what you feel. You seem capable.” Lars said, as we got to my gate, and we went through. Suddenly we appeared on my lot. “I never get tired of that,” Lars said, referring to the sudden teleportation we both seemed to do.

“Is that how you got here?”

“Yeah, somehow the Majiri figured out how humans were able to teleport.”

“Oh cool! See, I’m from a simpler time. We had cars and planes to get around from place to place.”

“Cars and Planes? What are those?”

“Cars, they were metal vehicles that we drove on roads, planes were flown in the air and that’s how we got around all over the world.”

“You remember your past? That is remarkable, all the other humans I’ve come across don’t remember anything. You did just do a set of songs you remembered though, that’s why I’m here.” Lars said, as he finally walked toward my house. “Impressive house seems cozy and quaint.”

“Yeah, it’s my humble abode. Go ahead, explore the place, I’m going to drop my stuff off and water my crops.” I said as I emptied my bag except for one dari clove, and one jar of oil, and I grabbed a brightshroom out of my storage. I would have to go out and find more, I was down to my last three. I was hyper-focused in trying to organize my storage that I didn’t see Lars step out of my house. It wasn’t until I felt a hand on my shoulder did I noticed Lars. His touch burned me.

“Corinth?”

I jumped slightly at his touch. “Oh, sorry, I was just going through my storage.”

“I have a spare notebook ready for you on your table and a pen. I also have that contract ready for you too.”

“Um, how is that going to work Lars? When would you like me to start recording music?”

“Oh that won’t come for a bit, I need you to write some original songs first. I’ll have preparations to make as well. I’ll send you a letter before I come and get you. I have an extra room you can stay in while we record your album. Before I make you sign however I need to see if you’re able to put your feelings into lyrical form, so write down what you’re thinking.”

“Like what? That’s a bit vague.”

“Write anything really. How have things been since you arrived here? Perhaps a song about Hassian or Reth. Write anything you want.”

I searched my brain for material and figured my dreams with Embra and what I just experienced with Lars would be good material to go off of. I picked up the pen, and the words came flowing out of me on the empty page.

I had a dream
It felt just like real life
And all I believed was in my head
Terrestrial life created from stardust
Tossing in my celestial bed

I had a dream it felt just like real life
Thoughts were running through my head
Ghosts and their shells will turn into ashes
With so many things still left unsaid

I see in your eyes
A million different lives
Hidden in the space between

I see in my eyes
We're living in a dream
Fighting to be seen inside
Fighting to be seen inside

I see in your eyes
A million different lives
Hidden in the space between

I see in my eyes
We're living in a dream
Fighting to be seen inside
Fighting to be seen inside

I set the pen down. “Is this good?” I asked as I pushed the notebook toward Lars, and he began reading over it. There was a moment of silence before Lars looked at me.

“Interesting. I like the terrestrial life created from Stardust line, but I’m wondering what else you got in that head of yours. Reth said you’ve been having dreams lately, about your previous life?”

“Yeah, did you want something more poetic?”

“Not at the moment, no, but consider the notepad and pen a gift from me to you. I expect to see a lot more poems. Getting to the contract. You’ll get 70% of the proceeds from your album sales. You’ll be on the hook for three albums or 8 years, whichever comes first, at which time we can go over the terms of this contract again and you can decide to renew or let it lapse. I’ll cover the costs to produce your album, and get you gigs to perform your music at.”

“Okay seems good,” I said, as Lars grabbed a stack of folded paper out of his backpack and gently unfolded them before setting it down in front of me. I carefully read everything in the contract. I was satisfied with the terms and conditions of it. I would get a signing bonus of 50,000 gold and 70% of the profits from any album sales in return I promote the album through performances at various festivals all over Palia. I saw the signature line and quickly signed my name on the line and upon asking for the date, I penned it onto the paper. Lars gathered, folded the papers back up, and carefully put them back into his backpack before he offered his hand to me. I shook his hand; his hand was warm and seemed to swallow mine in a firm handshake.

“I can’t wait to work with you. I think you and I will collaborate well together. I’ll send you a letter as soon as I get back to BC with your signing bonus, and a copy of the contract you just signed.” Lars said as he withdrew his hand from mine. I smiled up at him and he returned my smile. This was the first time I noticed that the Majiri had pointy, longer canine teeth. My mind flashed to the various Majiri from Reth, Hassian, Jel, Tish, Ashura, Tamala…they all had these pointy, vampire-like teeth.

An involuntary shiver ran through me, and I realized Lars was waiting for a response. “Uh…yeah, totally.”

“You noticed my teeth.” Lars said as he let out a chuckle.

“I—uh, what?” I asked, my eyes widening as I looked up at Lars.

He laughed a bit harder. “You noticed my teeth, I get it. I’ve noticed our subtle differences. Like your odd, round ears.” Lars said, reaching out to flick my ears. I laughed to ease the tension rising within me.

“Oh, yeah, sorry. I just now realized that you all have fangs. Some are more exaggerated than others.” I said, as I pulled my backpack on and cleared my throat. “I still need to see Sifuu though, did you want a grand tour of the place? There’s not much to see. I’m still trying to build this place up.”

“Oh no, but I am curious, how do you relieve yourself? Surely you have to urinate and defecate like us, right? I noticed you don’t even have an outhouse.”

“To be honest, I dug a hole in the corner of my property.”

Lars seemed shocked and repulsed by my statement. “Oh, that simply won’t do. Does that mean you use that pond there to bathe and wash your clothes in as well?”

“Uh, yeah? It’s cold, but there’s water flowing into it.”

“Oh my, okay, before I leave, I will make sure you have an appropriate bathroom. I’ll even help you install it all if you want. It’s been years, but I used to work as a maintenance worker in BC when I was a teenager.”

“How old are you?”

“I’m 24, the same age as Tish, you?”

“Um, I don’t know, I was 26 when I met my demise on stage. So, I’m assuming I’m around that age. Maybe younger, maybe older, I honestly have no clue.”

“Hm. I wouldn’t have guessed 26, I would say, 22, maybe 23. Let’s get on with our walk. There are things we still need to talk about.”

“Okay, yeah, let’s go.” I said as we exited my house and made our way out of the gate. We were soon on the path toward Sifuu’s house.

Lucky for me, she was there, having gotten done with her shift at the blacksmith’s forge. “Cori! Just the person I was hoping to see today!” She then pulled her eyebrows together as soon as her eyes saw Lars behind me. “Who’s this?”

“Oh this is Lars, he’s one of Reth’s friends,” I said, glancing back at Lars. “Lars, this is Hassian’s mother, Sifuu.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Lars said, as he offered his hand. “I’m just getting a feel for Corinth here, I’m signing her to a record deal under my label.”

“A feel? Oh, you’re that record-label mogul guy. Never really been one for you fancy corporate guys.” Sifuu said, not even bothering to shake Lars’ hand so he awkwardly dropped it and frowned. I too also frowned, letting out a breath I shook my head.

“Anyway, you said you had some writing for me to look over? Also, I’m honored, you’d want to see me.” I asked, my eyes meeting hers.

“You should be, I'm a notoriously hard gal to impress, but I like you, your friend however, I don’t know about him. If you’re gonna get to know Hassian, you got to get to know me too. I'll just cut to the chase. I've decided that the world needs to hear about my great adventures. So, I wrote a memoir to share my stories with the world. Would you mind taking a look?”

“Yeah, I’d be happy to.”

“It’s on the coffee table, I kind of have my hands full at the moment, I was going to hop in the shower before going to the Inn,” Sifuu said, as she let down her bun.

“Not at all! I’ll get right on it. Is it okay if Lars sits here with me?” I said, looking at Lars who I am sure was feeling awkward and dejected.

“Sure.” Sifuu said, giving a side-eye to Lars as he sat down on her couch. “Let me know what you think when I get out of the shower.” As she walked into her bathroom. Lars looked at me.

“She’s kind of icy isn’t she?”

“She’s not usually like that, so I apologize on her behalf,” I said, as I sat on the other end of the couch from Lars, picking up the book. “Let me read this.”

As I read the memoir I found it cringe-inducing and the number of typos was shocking as well. I frowned and set the book down. “Was it any good?” Lars asked, his eyes meeting mine.

I shook my head. “I don’t want to break Sifuu’s heart, but no. It needs a bit of work.” I said, frowning again.

“You should be honest.”

“Yeah, you’re right. If she’s mad, she’s mad.” I said setting the book down back on the coffee table. Sifuu was still in the shower.

“So, what do you remember about your previous life?” Lars asked, leaning forward to put his elbows on his knees.

“I was a performer in my previous life, I was the lead singer in a burlesque-type show in Las Vegas.”

“Burlesque?”

“Scantily clad women singing and dancing to sultry songs.”

“I see, were you involved with anyone in your previous life?”

I shook my head. “No. I was what we classified as asexual. I had no desire for anyone male or female. My last conversation was with my make-up artist about my virginity.” I said, letting out a snort of amusement. Now that I’m here, I can’t seem to control myself, I haven’t even been here a month and I am already courting two people…”

“Reth and Hassian.”

“Yeah, it’s like being here awakened something within me that lay dormant. I don’t understand it.”

“Well, if I’m honest, when I read Reth’s letter I couldn’t believe it, but I understand everyone’s pull to you. You are beautiful, talented, and have a heart of gold. I see why Reth told me to enjoy your company.”

I blushed at Lars’ compliments. “Thank you. What about you? What got you into music?”

“Well when I’ve always liked music, my mother was in a music group, so we had instruments, and she enrolled my sister and me into lessons from a young age. I came across some old human records while I was working for a client in BC. I enjoyed them immensely and ever since then; I’ve been trying to recreate a lot of music from thousands of years ago. Some of the technology as well. That’s where you come in. Since you know a lot of songs from your time, most of which I love, I’d like to try to recreate them with you.” Lars said, as he played with his fingers.

“That’s cool, and I respect it. There were a lot of great songs in my time, and even before that that I would like to shine a light on.” I said, my eyes meeting Lars’. He nodded and seemed to reflect on my words.

“What other instruments do you know how to play? You play the piano beautifully.”

“Um, hm…”

Mrs. Hart stood on the orchestral podium, baton in hand, I held my flute, my fingers strategically placed over the keys of the instrument, balanced on my lap, waiting for the cue from her to raise the flute to my mouth. With the wave of her hand she raised both hands giving us the cue to get ready.

With another wave of her hand, with time with the baton, she cued us to start playing our instruments. All of us play notes in a scale in 4/4 time using her baton to measure the beats. To make sure everyone one was in tune.

“—the flute, I remember playing the flute as a teenager for the high school band. I picked up the guitar and piano later on, during my senior year I believe through private and public school classes. I oddly remember trying to play my friend’s clarinet and I will never forget the taste of the reed and how she had to prep it by sucking on it like a lollipop.” I said, and Lars seemed engrossed in my story laughing in amusement.

“Yes, we’ve recovered ancient instruments used by your kind but sadly they were all in terrible disrepair, we’ve had some replicas made, but they are few and far between simply because the wood and metals used to make most of them no longer exist,” Lars said, simply, which was sad news to hear. The water in the shower stopped and Sifuu could be heard stepping out. “I’ve managed to recreate some of your technology and I have friends in the tech world build what I guess you would call a synthesizer, EQ board, and microphones, as well as electric guitars…”

“How can that be though? You don’t have electricity here.”

“We have flow though which is a thousand times more potent than probably any of this electricity you speak of,” Lars said, as he reached behind him and turned on a lamp sitting on an end table next to him. “See there’s this underground network of flow that powers everything, from the running water to the light that I just turned on. While Kilima may be behind the times in some ways, I think you’ll find all the modern comforts, you’re used to like this electricity you speak of, and running water, in the city.” Lars said, as he sat back and shut the lamp off that he had turned on earlier. Just then Sifuu opened the door to the bathroom fully dressed.

“Oh, you’re still here?”

“Of course, I read your book.”

“Oh? What did you think of it?”

“It could use some work, there were quite of few typos, and the grammar wasn’t great either.”

Sifuu pulled her eyebrows together and glared at me. “Hrumph! You clearly have no taste. I’m takin’ this thing to Caleri. SHE knows about books.”

“Caleri is going to say the same thing I’m telling you. She’s going to rip it apart but go ahead if that’s what you want to do. If you work on it, you could probably make it better. Let me know how it goes though.” I said, as I got up from the couch, and Lars followed my lead.

“I will.” Sifuu said as she grabbed her book. Lars and I exited Sifuu’s house with her behind us. “Where are you two going next? Wanna stop by the tavern for a drink?”

“I need to find some Crystal Lake Lotuses, so I think Lars and I will head to Fishermen's Lagoon next.”

“All right. Well, the invitation is still up whenever you decide to stop by.” Sifuu said, as she waved goodbye to us as we went our separate ways. I waved back.

“I’ll catch you around Sifuu,” I said as I looked at Lars. “Let’s get to Fishermen’s Lagoon so I can get those lotuses for Nai’o.”

“Nai’o he’s that farmer boy? Right? I think I’ve seen him around Kilima Stables and talking to Reth when I arrived here the night before last. Whatever you said to the both of them, seemed to have mended their relationship.”

“Is that so?” I asked, looking up at Lars as we walked towards Fisherman’s Lagoon.

“Yeah, even if you were the topic of interest between the two of them. It does make me curious.”

“Curious? About what?”

“They talked at length about your lips, your body, typical things men talk about.” I felt heat rush over my face. Nai’o and Reth were talking about me? “I was sitting with Reth while they talked about you. They shared their fantasies about you too.” I felt a hand grab my wrist and I was spun to look at Lars. His eyes were hungry. “I’m curious to see what all the fuss is about.”

“Whoa—hold up, not so fast. I just met you, Lars.” I said as I tried to pull my wrist out of his grasp, but he tightened his grip on my wrist and pulled me against his body. “Release me, please.” He wrapped his arms around me, and he was so much stronger and taller than me.

“It’s just a kiss Corinth, I know you’re curious about me too.”

“Lars, you seem nice enough, but please…let me go.”

Lars did the absolute opposite. He pushed a hand into my hair, pushing my head closer to his as he forced his lips onto mine. I immediately began trying to push the man off me, hitting his upper arms, anything to get Lars to stop kissing me. This seemed to rile Lars up even more as he tried to deepen the kiss, but I managed to wiggle an arm free and land a hit on Lars’ face. My hand stung from the hit. He released me and I took off like a bullet.

I glanced behind me and saw Lars coming after me. My body hit something hard. I had collided with someone, knocking the wind out of both me and him. I looked and recognized the man underneath me.

“Hassian!” But he pushed me off him real quick seeing Lars charging after me. He quickly got his bow out and armed it with an arrow before shooting it, it landed right into the dirt in front of Lars’ feet. Lars skidded to a stop and jumped back from it, landing on his ass.

“Take one more step and the next arrow will land between your eyes.” Hassian roared.

“Whoa! Whoa! Dude chill! I meant no harm.”

Hassian then turned to me and offered his hand to help me up off the ground. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just got the wind knocked out of me.”

“Is he giving you issues?”

“Yes. He forced me to kiss him.”

Hassian let out of grunt of frustration before he walked over to Lars and pulled him up with his braids. “Ah! Dude! I meant no harm…”

“Did you force her to kiss you?”

“I didn’t mean anything by it, I swear dude. I wanted to see what Reth and Nai’o were talking about, that’s all.” Just then Hassian tightened his grip on Lars’ braids causing the man to hiss out in pain.

“You should know you need to ask permission before kissing a woman. Apologize, now.”

“What the fuck? No!”

Hassian, using his bow, he hit Lars behind his knees, forcing Lars on his knees in front of me as Hassian let go of his hair before getting an arrow out and aiming it at Lars’ head. “I said, apologize. Now. Don’t piss me off.”

Lars raised his hands over his head in a sign of surrender. “Okay, okay,” Lars said, as he then looked up at me. “Corinth I’m sorry for forcing myself on you. I should’ve listened when you said no. That was my bad.”

“Good.” Hassian lowered his bow and sheathed it. “Now get your things and go back to Bahari City, and if I hear you do anything like this again, I will dispatch you myself. Understood?”

“Yeah, yeah, sorry,” Lars said, as he got up off his knees and quickly walked back to Kilima. Both Hassian and I watched the man disappear.

“Was all that necessary? Would you have killed him if he didn’t do what you asked?” I asked, my eyes meeting Hassian's.

“He was being a nuisance. No, I wouldn’t have killed him, but I would’ve roughed him up a bit. You were trying to get away from him. You’re bleeding.” Hassian said, as grasped my arm up, to see a trail of blood dripping down my arm. He pulled a clean cloth out of his pocket and began working on patching up my elbow. “My mom asked me to check on you. She didn’t like how Lars was looking at you and told me you two were headed toward Fishermen’s Lagoon. Her intuition about him was right.”

“Yeah, I did ask him twice to let me go.”

“And he should’ve listened. I did see you got a slap in; he had a nasty welt on his face.” Hassian said, a slight smirk appearing on his face as he tied the cloth around my injured elbow. “Let’s go to Fishermen’s Lagoon. We can talk on the way.”

“I’m glad I literally ran into you,” I said, interlacing my fingers with Hassian. “I can’t imagine if Lars had caught up to me, what he would’ve done, you know?”

“Did you sign the contract?”

“I did, I was just hanging out with Lars, to get a feel for him, who would’ve guessed he was a creep.”

Hassian let out a breath. “You shouldn’t go to Bahari City, not with other people there looking out for you and your safety. I don’t want another incident to happen to you.”

“I know, I thought Lars was cool. We talked about music and my old life. He gave me no indication he was going to do what he did.”

“What was he talking about, with Reth and Nai’o?”

It was my turn to let out a heavy sigh. “I’m courting Reth, and Nai’o kissed me. I guess they were talking openly about me, and Lars got the idea I was easy. I don’t know.”

“You’re not easy, and I don’t see Reth’s pin on you.”

“Well to be fair, you haven’t given me a pin yet either.”

“That’s beside the point,” Hassian said, giving me a look that I was treading on dangerous ground. “Who else are you involved with Corinth? You should be honest.”

“If I tell you, you need to tell me about Tamala.”

Hassian clenched his jaw. “I will. You have my word. Did you need lotus?”

“I did,” I said, as I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I’ve kissed Nai’o, Jina, and Jel, obviously I’ve gotten the furthest with you, and Reth and I have only made out, and dry-humped.”

Hassian let out a heavy breath. “You’re still a virgin. Correct? Lars didn’t…”

“No, he only forced me to kiss him.”

“Good.”

We had arrived at Fishermen’s Lagoon. Einar greeted us.

“Hassian! Have you come to share my oneness of fishing with me?”

“Hey Einar, no. I have simply come to escort Corinth to gather some Crystal Lake Lotus.”

“Ah, I see. Greetings Corinth, did you get injured? You appear to be bleeding.”

“Yes, I had an accident, but Hassian has patched me up.”

“Are you and Hassian courting? I have noticed your closeness in the last week.”

Hassian blushed, and I simply nodded. “Yes, Einar we’re courting.”

“That is exciting! I wish you luck in your ventures into romance.”

“Aw, Einar, that’s sweet of you.” I couldn’t tell if Einar was being truly authentic or sarcastic. Did Gauldur even have the option of showing disdain? Hekla gave me the business about Jina’s privacy.

I didn’t give any other thought to Einar, as Hassian and I went around Fishermen’s Lagoon and Remembrance Beach collecting all the lotuses we came across. Once I had about twenty we headed towards the Daiya family farm. “Why did you need these? Nai’o?”

“Yes, they’re Kenyatta’s favorite I guess.”

“Funny, here he is kissing you, while he’s got her pin. Perhaps I should talk to him…”

“Hey, Kenyatta’s not been completely innocent in all of this either…”

“She’s kissed you?”

“No, but I see how she looks at me…I guess we’ll see what happens on Wednesday. So you and Tamala…”

“Oh, I did promise that,” Hassian said, as he let out a heavy breath. “I hate talking about that part of my life. Tamala made me feel…foolish. She used me. She led me on to the point of giving her my pin only to throw it in my face saying she didn’t need a love-sick puppy; she needed a man.”

“You are a man though Hassian. She’s just a cougar who preyed upon and took your innocence. I knew there was a reason why I didn’t like her. I mean the first time I talked to her, all she wanted to do was try to take advantage of me, much like Lars.”

“Yeah, she was my first serious relationship, and I guess it’s why I tend to approach people with a jaded outlook.” I wrapped my arm around Hassian’s back.

“I’d never hurt you like that. I’m being honest with you now though; you might have to share me with other people here in Kilima.”

“I actually…don’t mind sharing. Not when it comes to you. I don’t quite understand it yet, just be gentle on me.” Hassian said, as he held my hand. A smile lined my lips. “Let’s get these flowers to Nai’o.”

“Yes, let's,” I said as we walked toward the farm hand in hand.

Chapter Text

It was well past six in the evening when I arrived at the Daiya farm. Hassian opted to wait for me on a hill directly east of the farm. I gave Nai’o ten lotuses, and he seemed appreciative. He did see Hassian and gave him a wave before letting me go.

“Hassian, you could go back to the Inn if you wanted to, I’m sure Lars isn’t going to be looking all over Kilima trying to find me.”

“I don’t want to take that chance,” Hassian said, crossing his arms over his chest. “What are your plans for the rest of the night?”

“I was thinking about spending the rest of the evening with Jina and exploring the rest of the Temple of Waves, now that I finally got the glider, it’ll give a chance to use it.”

“You haven’t used your glider yet?” Hassian asked, seemingly surprised as he cocked his head to the side.

“No, I haven’t needed to. Not yet anyway.”

“You should test it out for me in case something should happen; you’ll have someone here who can treat any wounds.”

“I thought you didn’t like heights?”

“I’m not going to be flying with you. That would be suicidal of me, and I don’t have a death wish.”

“Oh, come on Hassian, I wouldn’t let you fall.”

“As I said, I don’t have a death—CORINTH!” I heard Hassian shout, as I jumped off the ledge, pulled out my glider, and slowly floated my way back down to solid ground.

“IT WORKS!” I yelled up at the man who held a hand over his heart. Nai’o could be heard a ways behind me, laughing up a storm. I too, found it amusing that Hassian lost his composure over me jumping off the ledge.

“A WARNING WOULD BE NICE NEXT TIME!” Hassian yelled back down at me, as he was working his way down the ledge. Soon he was right next to me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I said, a smirk curving my lips.

“You’re not sorry. You’re a mischievous little thing.” Hassian said, as a smirk of his own, lined his lips. “I’ll walk you to Mirror Pond. I need to talk with both Nai’o and Reth anyway.”

“Hassian, don’t be too hard on them.”

“They should’ve known better than to freely talk about you around Lars the way they did.”

“Hassian, they didn’t know he would do what he did,” I said glancing up at Hassian.

“They should know what happened. Perhaps Reth or Jel can make more frequent trips to Bahari City when the time comes. Where will you stay?”

“Well, Lars said he had an extra room at his place.” This caused Hassian to let out a grunt.

“No. Hell no. I will talk to Jel. He has a family there and his family owns a huge estate. If anything, Mother, and I will make the trip to find you a place there. I will not have you stay with him.” Hassian said, seeming determined. I looked at him.

“You’re a good man Hassian. I appreciate you putting yourself out there for me and standing up for me when I needed it.” I said as I put a hand on his left cheek, and he looked at me. I leaned up and touched my lips to his. We kissed with reckless abandon; we were intoxicated by the time we pulled away. We were breathless, and our minds had become putty.

“I—I need to go. I'll hear your voice in the valley's silence.” Hassian said as he walked away. I watched him, and this time I wasn’t going to be a fool.

“Hassian!” I yelled out to him, and he stopped and turned on his heel to look at me. “I love you!”

A smile curved his lips. “I—I love you too.” Hassian quickly said as he turned around and made his way back to Kilima. I had a smile plastered on my face as I walked to Mirror Pond. Before I got in eyesight of Jina however, I got the chocolates out of my bag.

I walked over to where Jina and Hekla should have been only to see them not there. I racked my brain and remembered they were probably at the library and probably wouldn’t be back until late tonight. I let out a breath but knew, Reth, Tish, and Jel were hanging out at his shop right now, so I figured, why not see how they were doing?

I walked slowly back into town, taking in the serene night, knowing it was important to keep myself grounded and to appreciate this second chance at life I seemingly had gotten. I figured I would stop by my place and see what letters I had received.

I was right, there was a letter from Sifuu saying Caleri ripped her book apart and asked if I could go around and ask what people wanted to read because while it broke her heart, she wasn’t going to give up that easily. She’d give people what they wanted to read. The next letter I received was from Najuma asking if I had procured the leather yet, which I had, so I’d have to run that to her. The next letter I received was from Jel asking me for my opinion on another dress he was making but the next letter was from Tish, asking if I could spare two fabric to give to Jel to make Reth a new apron.

The next letter was from Lars, with an apology.

Dear Corinth,

I truly regret my actions earlier today. I should not have forced myself on you, I should have asked for your full permission. I’m sorry. Please, as an act of good faith, I have enclosed a full Capital Chic bathroom set. I will be by with both Reth and Nai’o tomorrow to help you install it. I will not ask for anything in return.

Again, I am sorry for any pain I have caused.
Lars

I let out a breath as I pulled the items off the page and set them outside my house. They were expensive-looking pieces, made of black galaxy granite. There was a deep sitting black stone tub, and a deep countertop sink with black stone on it as well. The toilet was a black porcelain toilet. I grabbed two fabric and the five leather pieces out of my fabric loom and figured I could take a quick trip out to Bahari Bay before I stopped by Jel’s shop. I hoped I would be back in time to still spend some time with Jina.

Upon gathering my things, I grabbed another box of chocolates. I still couldn’t get Jel’s kiss off my mind. I touched my lips and smirked. I was curious as to see what his reaction would be once I gave him the chocolates. I left my lot, and my mind kept replaying the tape measure incident. I mean, Ashura said there was nothing wrong with courting multiple people, I wanted to test the waters and explore this new side of myself that was blossoming.

But first, Najuma and her leather.

I entered Bahari Bay, and immediately took a left to see Hodari and Najuma sitting at a picnic table sharing dinner together.

“Good evening you guys! It smells good! Sernuk steaks tonight?” I asked announcing my presence, so I didn’t catch the two off-guard.

“Corinth! Ye-yeah…dad grilled tonight. If you’re hungry—”

“Oh no. I’m good, I have something for you Najuma.”

“Oh, is that the—yeah, um. Let me just meet you in the workshop…”

Hodari narrowed his eyes at me before giving a glare to Najuma. “You’re seriously not about to build that safety suit are you ‘juma? I told you aren’t allowed to go into the mines…”

“Dad! You need to let me help you! You are killing yourself!”

“Najuma!”

“You never listen to me!”

The air was thick with tension, I had to try to break it up somehow. “Hodari, Najuma, please, let’s talk this out. I understand where you’re both coming from.”

“Let me build the suit dad! Let me prove I can keep myself safe. These schematics I drew up, they won’t fail.”

“Najuma, I will not let you end up like your mother! I will not lose you too!”

“You’re not listening to me! Forget it! I will prove it by my actions.” Najuma said as she held out her hand toward me. I immediately handed over the five pieces of leather, and she walked off to the workshop, leaving me alone with Hodari.

“Might as well sit down. You’re not helping me out here Corinth.”

“I have faith in her, Hodari, why don’t you do the same and have some faith in her? She’s not going to be young forever Hodari.”

“I know, but I don’t want to lose her like I lost Leta.”

“She doesn’t want that either. Let her build her suit, let her prove to you she can handle herself. I understand you lost a wife, but she lost her mother. She knows what’s at stake.”

“I’m doing my best here Corinth.”

“She’s growing up Hodari, sometimes you need to give the space needed to allow for that growth. Let her prove herself to you Hodari.”

Hodari let out a breath and shook his head. “Easier said than done.” Hodari then looked at me with a curious look on his face. “What’re you doing tonight?”

“I was going to head back to Kilima, did you need anything?”

“I got a pickaxe upgrade for ya, then whenever you got the chance to, you can put it t’use on mining some iron for me. My supply is low, and I’m trying to create a new alloy.”

I nodded, “How much?” I asked looking at him.

“500 gold.”

“You’re lucky I just got my payment from Ashura today,” I said, immediately handing over the gold Hodari asked for. Our hands brushed against each other, but this time instead of just recoiling as he always did, he grasped my hand. My heart leaped into my throat, and we made eye contact. There was care in that stare of his.

“Ah, that’s right, you perform at the inn on Fridays now. I wanted to come last night, but my damn back froze up. I heard you turned the Inn up on its head. Wish I could ’a been there.”

“No worries, there’s always next week,” I said, my face feeling hot, I went to pull my hand away, but Hodari only held onto it tighter.

“I want to thank you. Najuma looks up t’ya. Thank you for being there for her.”

“You’re welcome Hodari, she’s a bright kid. Just give her a chance.”

“I will, also…” Hodari said, as he grabbed a sack out of his bag. “Tamala gave me a few extra sleeping potions, figured you’d appreciate ‘em.”

“Thank you,” I said, as Hodari finally let go of my hand so I could put the sleeping potions into my bag.

“Don’t be a stranger,” Hodari said, as he got up from the table carefully and gingerly. I frowned.

“I won’t be, but—” I couldn’t believe what I was going suggest, “—if you ever want a massage. I can offer that to you. You just send for me, and I’ll see what I can do.”

Hodari seemed shocked, “Uh—I—hm, I might take you on that, but not tonight. I don’t want to keep ya. I’ll catch ya around.”

“Goodnight Hodari.” I said, looking at the man as he walked away.

“Yeah, goodnight Corinth,” Hodari said gruffly as I got up from the table, turning on my heel and heading towards the gate.

Once back in Kilima, I headed straight to Jel’s. Tish was on her way out and I didn’t see Reth anywhere around, so I figured I’d talk to Tish.

“Hey Tish, how are you tonight?”

“Oh! Corinth! Sorry if I seem distracted...normally I'd love to chat. But today...well...I've got this great idea. I REALLY want to tell you what it is, but I also kinda want it to be a surprise. The tension is killing me!”

“Who am I going to tell Tish…”

“My brother, you do visit him regularly, don't you?” Tish asked, her blue eyes meeting mine.

“Yes, but I can keep a secret from him…”

“You're right! I can't hold it in! I'm just too excited! I've hired Jel to make a new apron for my brother. He's always complaining about losing all his cooking utensils! The only thing is...Jel is just taking so~ long. He wants it to be perfect. But I wanted to give it to him for our six-month anniversary of moving to Kilima.”

“When is that coming up? I was going to talk to Jel anyway.”

“Next week actually. Oh. My. Dragon. Do you mean that? You would be a total lifesaver! Thank you! Thank you!” Tish said as she gave me a tight hug before she pulled away and began the walk back to her house. I smirked as I watched her for a moment before walking into Jel’s shop.

“If you’re looking for Tish, you just missed her, and Reth, he hasn’t been by tonight,” Jel said, concentrating deeply on his sewing machine. His foot was pushing the treadle at the base of the machine. He was not bothering to look up at me, he seemed entranced with what he was doing. I felt awful for interrupting him.

“I actually came to see you,” I said, and Jel seemed jarred as he stopped pumping his foot on the treadle and looked up at me.

“Corinth, I wasn’t expecting you to come back tonight. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Were you busy? I can come back if you’d like me to—”

“No, not at all. I mean I was busy, but now that you’re here, I have something to show you…”

“I have some fabric for you, from Tish, she wants you to finish Reth’s apron for her.”

“Corinth you’re like the fifth person to bother me about that today, not counting Tish. I’m clearly working on it.” Jel said as he nodded his head towards the apron that was being sewn on the machine.

“Jel, honey, don’t shoot the messenger.”

“I love Tish, but she needs to learn how to hold her Ormuus. You can't rush perfection!”

“It doesn’t have to be perfect…”

“Doesn’t have to be perfect? You do know who you are saying that to right?”

“Oh Mr. I-will-rip-up-my-hard-work. How could I forget…” I said rolling my eyes at Jel who let out a snort of amusement at my expression and my name for him. “Take a deep breath, I’ll put this fabric here on your desk. I got your letter about something else you wanted to show me.”

“Oh, your dress. How could I forget? I saw this beautiful fabric a while ago and didn’t know what to make with it, but knew it had to be for something special. After our kiss, I knew I had to use it for your dress.”

“I don’t necessarily need a dress, Jel. More clothes, yes, but I don’t foresee myself needing a dress for a while…” I said as we walked up the stairs towards his boudoir.

“You need a dress for your village christening. When you choose a Shepp who is going to look out for you. Not to mention if you choose to become a singer, you’ll need costumes and I hope you’ll come to me. I would be honored if you would.”

“Jel there wouldn’t be anyone else I could trust to dress me,” I said, as we entered Jel’s boudoir, and there on the mannequin was a beautiful royal blue dress that faded to a teal color towards the bottom of the dress. It was roughly pinned together; it was an asymmetrical A-line-shaped dress with a deep v-line on the bodice. There were markings on the dress in the shape of jewels. The fabric itself looked shiny like satin. I peeled off my backpack, setting it down at my feet before I reached out to touch it, but Jel was right there, taking my hand in his.

“Please, don’t touch it,” Jel said, as he lifted my hand to his lips peppered kisses on the tip of each finger. A warm fuzzy feeling enveloped my stomach. He then pulled me towards him and wrapped an arm around my back so our bodies were pressed together. He then took a deep breath, as if smelling the air around me. “You might smudge the markings I put on it for the starstones I plan to sew onto the dress. You smell…addicting.”

“How so?” I asked, as I raised my arm to smell myself. I still smelled the deodorant I put on earlier. “I put on deodorant.”

Jel shook his head and let out a chuckle. “No…that’s not what I mean” Jel let out a breath as his eyes fell to my lips. “Let me taste those lips, Cori…” Jel said, as he tilted my chin up and crashed his lips to mine. The kiss consumed me. My head was swimming in sensations, and I thrust my hands into Jel’s hair. He purred against my lips before he growled and I found myself being lifted off my feet. I let out a shriek of surprise. For as skinny as Jel was, he was surprisingly strong.

“Jel!”

“I want to taste your other lips.”

“My other lips?” I asked, as Jel gently laid me down on the bed. Jel has this mischievous smirk on his lip. “What do you mean by that?”

“I’ll show you what I mean, my muse,” Jel said as his finger folded under the waistband of my pants. Then the horrifying realization hit me. My pussy lips. Oh God, I need to warn him! “First, I need these off.”

My hands then grabbed his to stop him. “Jel—I’m on my period, I don’t think you’d want to—”

“That’s exactly why I want to taste you,” Jel said, as his face flushed. “I—I could smell it. It’s absolutely intoxicating. I want to taste it.”

“But why? I mean, I don’t understand why you'd want to—” Jel put a finger to my lips effectively quieting me.

“Sh—do I have your expressed permission, my muse? I will explain, there’s something you’ll need to know about me anyway.”

“You have my permission. You should probably put a towel down or something. I don’t want to ruin your bed linens. Also, what about my tampon?”

“I don’t give a damn about the bed linens. As for the tampon, I can remove it, that’s no issue. I don’t have another, however.”

“That’s fine, I have some in my bag.” I said, getting up, but Jel pushed me back down on the bed.

“I will grab it. Take your pants off.”

“Oh, okay. While you’re in there, you might as well grab a box of chocolates. I wanted to give them to you anyway.” I said, flushing while slipping out of my pants.

“Ch-chocolates? For me?”

“Yes. I want to court you Jel.”

“You’re courting Reth and Hassian.”

“Neither of them have given me a pin yet. You’ll find two boxes of chocolates in my bag, one is for you, the other for Jina.”

“Jina? The local human historian and scholar? Really? I’m utterly dumbfounded.” Jel said as he went through my backpack to grab another tampon, as well as his box of chocolates he sat on the edge of the bed and ran his fingers over the heart-shaped box in the patterns of circles. “Jina seems nice enough. I respect her. Though to be fair, I haven’t pinned you either. I just wanted to…utilize the time we had alone. You’ve truly decided to court me. I will not let you regret your decision my muse.” Jel said, as he set the box of chocolates on the nightstand and set the new tampon down next to them. He arched his upper body over mine, so he was face-to-face with me. I sucked in a breath. “You are absolutely precious.”

I brought my hand up to cup the side of his face. “So are you,” I said, as I leaned up to kiss him. He returned my kiss, deepening it, but as soon as the kiss hit fever pitch, Jel pulled away and quickly took off his vest, and undershirt. I decided to follow suit and unbutton the blouse I was wearing. Jel’s lips attacked my exposed skin. His tongue whirled around my nipples before he blew a cool puff of air on them, making sure they were rock hard. His hands slid down the sides of my body and his fingers curled underneath the elastic band of my panties before he slid them down my legs. My head was swimming with all the sensations Jel was bestowing upon me. He stood up and I could find a noticeable bulge in his pants.

I lifted my hips and legs to make the removal easy. “Spread your legs my muse, it’ll make the removal of the tampon a bit easier,” Jel said and I did as I was told. “Oh, my Dragon, you are even sexier than anything my imagination could create,” Jel commented, as he thrust his hips towards me he slid two fingers over my labial folds and swiftly came across the string of my tampon. I could feel him curl the string around his finger, before yanking on the string harshly and it was removed from my body. He held the bloodied tampon to his nose and gave it a sniff. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. He touched it with his finger and spread my viscous blood over his finger with his thumb. He seemed entranced by the blood on the tampon. I looked at him, grossed out.

“Uh…Jel?”

He then licked his finger, and I shuddered in disgust. Was he being for real? Was he some kind of parasite? Were the Majiri a bunch of bloodsuckers? I couldn’t think of the words I used to describe them. He then let out a moan, before going back for more. “Oh, my Dragon…this is almost orgasmic.”

“Jel? You’re scaring me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m acting deprave. I have a genetic mutation; that requires me to drink blood. My mother said it’s akin to anemia, but I know it’s not anything of the sort. I thank my father for this curse. I crave blood, I can stave it off for some time by drinking the blood of animals but eventually, I do require the blood of fellow Majiri. Although, human blood is positively exquisite. It smells so much different from Majiri blood, and tastes a lot better, if I can say. It’s intoxicating. I find myself wanting to chew on this.” Jel said as he held up my used tampon.

“I—what the fuck Jel…don’t please. I’m already grossed out.” What’s the fucking word? Come on Corinth think! I blurted it out as soon as the word came to me. “Vampire! You’re a fucking vampire!?!?” I suddenly had flashbacks of watching Queen of the Damned as a teenager, and watching a related movie called Interview with a Vampire that was created before I was even born as an adult. I had a small obsession with The Vampire Diaries series as a teenager as well. Then there were the Twilight movies.

“Oh, I didn’t think there was a term humans had for people with my disorder,” Jel said, frowning. “Is it something terrible? Being a vampire?”

“Um…it’s not good, normally. We wrote books, created movies, and created whole television series based on vampires.” I said, “Vampires were fictional characters, or at least I thought they were. They were immortal and nocturnal. They would hide away during the day and come out at night. The only way they could die was by being set to burn in sunlight or having a wooden stake driven through their heart. They had supernatural powers, like flying, superhuman strength, controlling elements…things like that. They relied on human blood to survive normally.”

“Well, I don’t have any more strength than a normal Majiri, you are incredibly light my muse. I can’t fly, and I certainly can’t control the elements. I do find that I am sensitive to the sun and prefer staying out at night as opposed to being out during the day, it won’t kill me though. I do eat food, Reth usually brings me food every night when he’s done with his shift at the Inn.” Jel said as he got up to dispose of my tampon and wash his hands. “Your world sounds positively lovely Corinth. You had incredible music, had information at your fingertips. I do wonder what fashion was like in your time. I wish time travel existed. Ancient human society sounds so fascinating.” Jel said as he came back to the bed.

“There are times I wish I could go back too, but time doesn’t go in reverse, it only moves forward.”

“This is true,” Jel said, as he got on his knees in the space between my legs. “Let’s enjoy this moment we have now,” Jel said, as he slipped his hands to grasp each ass cheek and lifted my hips, so my womanhood was in his face. “You smell like heaven; I’m going to enjoy this.” He peppered kisses on the inside of each thigh, and my lower belly felt heavy with arousal by the time he reached my clit.

I moaned as his tongue lapped at my fleshy engorged organ. “J-Jel!”

He took my clit between his lips. “Hm…feeling good?” This man knew what he was doing. I closed my eyes, to concentrate on the pleasure climb I was in.

“Y-yes! How many times have you done this? Fuck!”

“Hm…” Another wave of arousal washed over my belly. “I’ve lost count…hm…” I arched my back and let out another noisy moan. “Hm…mmmaybe a hannnnndful of timmmmesss.” My excitement built and soon, I was moving my hips to meet his magical lips and tongue. “Hm…” He then slid his tongue to my entrance and lapped at it before he thrust his tongue inside of me while grinding his nose against my clit. “You’re close, sing for me my beautiful, sexy, siren.”

I couldn’t control myself anymore. This orgasm was going to be intense. I grabbed whatever I could. I think I yanked on Jel’s hair a little too harshly, while my other hand gripped the pillow my head rested on with a death grip. I was overcome with searing pleasure that threatened to knock my soul out of my body. Jel’s name along with a series of yeses came out of my throat. My heart was racing, I couldn’t catch my breath as my body exploded. Jel didn’t stop there, and I found myself overstimulated. I started trying to squirm my hips away. That was when I felt it. A sharp bite on the inside of my right thigh. I felt his teeth break my skin. My eyes shot open at the jolt of pain.

“Ouch! Jel!” Jel was there sucking what blood came from the wound he created. “Hey! Stop!”

Yelling at him, seemed to get him out of whatever trance he was in, and the gravity of the situation crashed on him. “Oh, my Dragon. I’m so sorry. I—I don’t know—let me clean you up. Don’t move.”

“I can’t believe you bit me!” I exclaimed as I sat up to examine the puncture wound. “What is up with you Majiri men and hurting me? First Hassian, now you…”

Jel grabbed a cloth and ran it under some water before he went to his desk, opened one of the drawers, and pulled out a tincture of salve. “What did Hassian do to you?” Jel asked, an undertone of anger in his words.

“He gave me a friction burn down there,”

“Oh my. That sounds rather unpleasant. I don’t know what came over me. I acted on an impulse. I deeply apologize.”

Jel’s face was a mess. He had a mixture of fresh and dried blood all over his face. “You’re a mess.”

“Let me clean the wound I gave you first, then I’ll focus on myself.” I then looked down at the crotch of his pants and he was hard.

“What about you? Do you want my help with that?” I asked, and Jel followed my eyes and he blushed deeply.

“Not tonight. You’ve indulged me enough for tonight. I can take care of it later.”

“Mmhm. I’m sure you will.” I said, my voice thick with innuendo. Jel made eye contact with me and let out a snort before he turned his attention to the bite wound. He placed the cold cloth over it and put firm pressure on it to stop the bleeding.

“I can’t believe I did this.”

“I’m sure you bit Reth, surely I’m not a one-off instance.”

“Of course, but I’ve never drawn blood with him. I never told him about my condition.” Jel said as he checked underneath the cloth before he put it back and put steady pressure on it again. “I’m going to give you a skirt to wear, anything rubbing against this wound will just irritate it. Here, put steady pressure on this. I’ll be back in a moment.” Jel said as he grabbed my hand and placed it on the cloth. He got off the bed and walked out of the bedroom but as soon as he walked out, he came right back in.

“Hassian’s downstairs.”

“What?” I asked, in shock. “What the fuck?”

“Sh…keep your voice down! Hassian is downstairs. He didn’t see me, but I almost walked down there with no shirt, fully erect, your blood all over my face. Oh my!” Jel let out a breath, clearly panicking as he grabbed his clothes and began getting himself dressed. He then ran over to the sink and washed his face. “He never comes into my shop, what is he doing here at this hour?”

“No idea Jel, what time is it anyway? I can get myself patched up, I just put the salve over the wound right?”

“It’s almost midnight. As for the salve, yes, I keep it in my desk when I’m doing needlework, I always manage to stab myself with the needle, unintentionally of course. I’ll go downstairs and deal with Hassian.”

“Yeah go deal with that.”

Jel exited the bedroom. As much as I wanted to eavesdrop I had a bite wound to take care of. Jel was gone for some time and in the time he was gone, I managed to stop the bleeding and get the salve put on it. I went through Jel’s drawers and found some fabric tape. Using Jel’s fabric scissors, I ended up cutting a clean portion of the cloth and fashioned a makeshift bandage to stick over my wound. I cleaned myself up down below and inserted another tampon before getting my pants on. I didn’t have all night to wait around for Jel, so I wrote Jel a note thanking him for the wonderful night. Before grabbing my backpack off the floor, I opened the door to his tiny balcony. Using my glider, I hopped off and glided down before taking off towards Mirror Pond to see Jina.

I was breathless by the time I arrived. Jina and Hekla were sitting around a cooking spit outside of Hekla’s tent. Jina was scarfing down a bowl of cream of mushroom soup. Hekla saw me approach. “Jina, I will retire to my tent for the night. I know you and Corinth have to talk. Also Corinth, I’m sorry for misunderstanding your relationship with my Jina. Have a good night.” Hekla said, as she gave a mechanical wave and entered her tent leaving Jina and me alone with the night and the light of the two moons.

“Thank you?”

“If you’re wondering what that was about, Hekla and I talked. She has promised to give us more privacy. I think there might be enough soup for another bowl if you wanted some soup?” Jina said, as she grabbed a cloth and took the lid off the Dutch oven that hung from the cooking spit and ladled out the rest of the soup into a spare bowl. She handed the bowl to me, and I grabbed it before setting it down on a flat rock to allow it to cool off. I then grabbed the box of chocolates and handed them to Jina.

“We can share this box if you want, but I would like to court you. Can I take this pot off the spit quickly and get it rinsed out? I also have an oil I’d like to make for you.”

“Oh Corinth, I’ve wanted nothing more than to court you. Y-y-you give me butterflies and I like you, like a lot.”

“Me too, Jina. I mean I know that I’ve neglected to come back for a while, but you have to understand that I was busy, I’m still trying to be a part of the village. To be considered one of you.” I said, as I grabbed the cloth that Jina had used earlier to

“You are already one of us, who needs pomp and circumstance to know that,” Jina said, as she followed me to the pond where I put it splashed some water into the metal Dutch oven to cool it down, so it didn’t crack or break. Jina handed me a clean cloth so I could get the pot cleaned before bending down to watch me.

“When did you want to check out the temple?”

“After we sort your menstrual cramps,” I said, as I dried the pan out with the cloth Jina gave me before I put the Dutch oven back over the cooking spit and put in a liberal amount of oil at the bottom of the pan. “Did you have a knife? I need to cut up this brightshroom, and dari clove.”

“Yes, I’ll be right back,” Jina said as she carefully went into Hekla’s tent before coming out with a knife in hand. I quickly chopped up the dari clove and brightshroom before cooking both over the fire. As soon as I knew the items were infused into the oil I grabbed the Dutch oven and a spoon that Jina handed to me so I could filter out the oil. “It smells heavenly,” Jina commented as she caught a whiff of the oil. “Hassian taught you how to make this?”

I shrugged. “He told me what was in it. I’ll take this off the fire and let it cool down to a tolerable temperature. Meanwhile, I’m gonna eat my soup.”

Jina and I made light conversation which revolved around what we would find in the Temple of Waves. When I finished my soup, I checked the oil, and it wasn’t scalding anymore. I had Jina lay across one of the low walls around Mirror Pond and gave her a pelvic and belly massage. My hands didn’t go past the top of her pubic bone as tempting as it was. She was greatly appreciative of the massage and paid me with a short, but hot make-out session. She asked for the chocolates, and I got them for her. We had three pieces each before she put the box in the library as we headed out to the Temple of Waves holding hands.

I got all the chests I couldn’t get to before jumping across to explore the main part of the temple. There were some tablets with some backstory but most importantly there seemed to be a sliding puzzle I needed to unscramble.

I made quick work of it and there was a distant rumbling when I completed it. I didn’t know what it was from. “Jina!?! Are you okay?”

“Yes! I think I know where that came from. I’m going out to investigate it. Meet me at the Night Sky temple…”

“Where’s that?” I yelled out.

“It’s up the hill smack dab in the middle between the Daiya Farm and Mirror Pond, next to the waterfall,” Jina said, as she turned on her heel and dashed out to the exit of the Temple. I took another glance around and didn’t see anything of interest, so I paraglided back to the main cliff where the statue was and walked out of the temple to make my way out to the Night Sky Temple. As I neared the Temple, I could feel a strange aura or vibe emanating from the area. I couldn’t put my finger on it, so I entered.

“Jina? Is everything okay?

“Corinth! It wasn't like this last time Hekla and I explored this area. Look! It seems activating the puzzle in the waterfall room lit up part of the relief. I bet other spots like it light up the rest. And those smaller carvings... they lit up when you approached. Try interacting with one! I'll stand at a safe... er... helpful distance.”

I interacted with the lit-up dais, and there was a set of four bundles I needed to fulfill. I pulled out my notebook and pen and wrote down everything I needed for it. “This is going to take a while to complete, you know that right Jina?”

“Oh that’s fine, take your time. What is it exactly?” Jina asked, looking at me cautiously.

“From what I can tell, it’s an ancient vault. To open it you have to put in the required fish, plants, dishes, and bugs. Most of which I have yet to come across, but I’ll get right on it, I’ve gotten them written down, so I know what I need.”

“Fascinating...an ancient vault. A vault that only opens when you put more stuff into it. Humans are...weird. No offense.”

“None taken, humans have a knack for making things more complicated than they need to be,” I said, as I finished taking notes, Jina let out a large yawn.

“Oh, I’m getting tired. I should probably head back. What are your plans for today?”

“To start getting things checked off my ever-growing to-do list.”

“That sounds like…a lot.”

“Well, everyone seems to need my help these days.”

“I wish you luck. Goodnight Corinth.” Jina said as she kissed me on my cheek as we left the temple. I let out a breath before putting my notebook away.

It was five past 2 am by the time I got back home. I couldn’t stand on ceremony of discovering a new temple, I had things to do, people to see, and all of that. I watered my crops and decided to sit and relax. I wanted to wait until my mail came at 6 am and wait for Auni to pick his brain about Sifuu’s book.

I was watering my crops again when Auni showed up on my plot.

“Good Morning Corinth! You have mail from Kenyatta, Jel, Hassian, and Reth!”

“Hey Auni, hold up, I got a question for ya.”

“Uh, sure!”

“What types of books do you like? What do you like to read?”

“Oh man, I love reading, but only when the book has a good adventure set in a far-off place. Who wants to read about boring people just hanging out at home? I'll tell you who, my mom. She only reads mysteries set in small villages.”

“Oh interesting,” I said, writing it down in my notebook. “Okay, well, that’s all I had for ya. Have a great morning Auni!”

“You too Corinth!” Auni said as he took off out my gate. I grabbed my mail and decided to start with Kenyatta’s letter first.

Dear Cori,

You are formally invited to the funeral of all my plants. Someone else has to mourn the death of my dreams with me. I don't even know what went wrong, I watered them every ten minutes? How does my dad make this look so easy??

I frowned. How did Kenyatta manage to kill her plants already? I let out a groan and shook my head. The next letter was from Jel. There was a new outfit in there for me.

My Dearest Muse,

I got your letter, I’m sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I understand you had other things to do, and places to be. I apologize for keeping you from that. Hassian came in to put money down on a commission for you and paid extra for me to put a rush on it. His ideas were, well…best not spoil it.

Come see me Monday night, I should have it almost finished so we can put on the finishing touches.

The next letter was from Hassian.

Dear Cori,

I heard you and my mother are getting closer. I am pleased by this. I am planning something for us, to prove my love for you. I will send you a letter when it is ready. I also took the liberty of commissioning Jel to make something nice for you.

I blushed. I wondered if he heard me. I wanted to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. Now my mind was going off tangents of possible scenarios. Did they fight? Did they agree to work together? Did Hassian know everything that happened? Did Jel tell him about my plans with Jina…

“Okay, nothing’s going to get done if I keep going over the what-ifs.” I said as I opened the letter from Reth.

Hey Cori,

I was wondering what you were up to Thursday? Come visit me at the Inn and let me know will you? I miss you!

I smiled but realized, I had dinner with Nai’o and his family at my place. Fuck, how did I forget all about that? I clicked my tongue at myself as I grabbed my watering can and began watering and harvesting my crops. Upon putting my veggies into my storage. I decided to head out to Bahari Bay and get Hodari his iron.

But as I was exiting my gate, Tish stood in front of me. “Corinth! Oh, I was just coming to see you. I couldn’t get any sleep and figured I’d come to visit you. Did you find out anything about the apron I commissioned Jel to make for me?”

I was surprised and felt myself blush. “Yes, he’s going to get it finished by tomorrow. Don’t worry about it, Jel’s got you.”

“Thank you so much! Reth has been working so many long nights lately, he's been going to work half asleep. No wonder he's always losing things. I'm tempted to give Ashura a piece of my mind.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I was on my way to Bahari Bay, but I needed to talk to you anyway. We’ll need a place to sit, Reth probably isn’t going to appreciate me telling you this, but it’s better than you and Ashura still being left in the dark because he doesn’t have the balls to tell you what’s up. You can’t tell Reth I let you in on this, I will tell Ashura soon too,”

“Corinth, this sounds serious. Do you want to go back to your place?”

“Yes, let’s go to my house, and I’ll tell you why your brother has been so scatterbrained lately.”

For the next hour, Tish and I have an honest conversation about Reth’s involvement in the Grimalkin cartel. I tell her about the night I saved him, Jel, Hassian, and I know about his involvement and that the flower he urged her to wear was infused with Flow, was keeping her healthy and sickness-free.

“Reth lied to me? I can't imagine why he would do that. I mean, even if Jel's right and he is seeing someone, I wouldn't care. I want him to be happy!”

“Um, about that. I started courting Reth.”

“Really?!?! When were you going to tell me this?”

I shrugged, “Eventually.”

“Ugh, I'm tired of everyone thinking I'm some little kid that they have to protect from the world! Anyway, thanks for your help. It seems Reth and I have a lot to talk about.”

“Don’t ambush him, he doesn’t know I told you, and he’ll know something is up if you approach him. Wait until I can at least tell Ashura what’s going on with him.”

“How do I know when that will be?” Tish asked, her eyes meeting mine.

I gave Tish a smirk. “You’ll know because you know Ashura. He’ll confront Reth right away.”

“Okay. I’ll sit on this information for a bit. I appreciate this honest chat we had, but the sun is starting to rise now, and I should probably go and eat breakfast.”

Before Tish left I asked if I were to write a book that she’d want to read, and I recorded her response in my notebook, along with Auni’s. She left, and I ate something to get my focus up before heading out to Bahari Bay. I quickly found some iron nodes and quickly made quick work of them, before getting about fifty iron ore. The sun was well above the horizon and I knew I needed to get Hodari his iron and get back to my house so I made my way to Pavel Mines. Hodari was out front.

“Corinth? What are you doing here?”

“Testing out that new pickaxe I got.”

“Well, you’ve been busy, you got another upgrade, and a new recipe for a heavy smelter if you’re interested…”

“Sure, how much are both?” I asked, and I checked my gold coin supply.

“A bit more than last time I’m afraid, 2500 gold this time.”

I frowned. “I’ll have to sell all my starstones to make that, but here’s the five iron you asked for anyway,” I said, as I pulled out the five iron ore and handed it over to Hodari.

“ ...Thanks. I woulda gotten it myself, but other thing's been taking up a lot of my time lately. Trust me, I don't make it a habit of looking for handouts.”

“Hodari, I’m happy to help you out, I know it’s not easy being a single dad. If you need anything else, just let me know okay?”

“Actually, there is sumthin else you could help me with, if ya in the mood to still help?”

“Sure, what is it?” I asked my eyes meeting Hodari’s brown ones. He looked almost bashful for a moment.

“Do you mind talkin’ to Juma for me. She’s been acting skiddish ‘round the mines lately, when she wasn’t before, she’s plumb refusin’ to talk to me lately. She talks to you more…”

“Say no more Hodari, I’ll talk to her and see what’s going on.”

“Thanks, and here, this should cover the cost of the iron you jus’ gave me, see ya around.” Hodari said, as he snuck a sack into my hand. I just shoved it in my bag and walked back towards Hodari and Najuma’s house but didn’t see the girl anywhere there, so I decided to just teleport home.

Sure enough, Najuma was walking around my house. “Um...hi. I know it's kinda weird to just show up here, but... maybe you can help?”

“Help is becoming one of my middle names it seems,” I said, feeling my face become tight with a smile.

“I-is it? How many middle names do Humans have...n-nevermind, that's not important! The mine's haunted.” Najuma said with urgency in her voice.

“You know, I actually believe you. Do you want me to grab my salt, I heard that’s good against repelling ghosts.” I said as I walked into my house to grab the salt.

“You believe me?...Thanks. You're the first person. I knew it was a good idea to come here. Dad won't listen to me. He says there's no such thing as ghosts. Could you talk to him? Maybe if it comes from an adult, he'll actually hear it for once.”

I let out a breath. “Let me walk you back Najuma then I’ll see if I can talk to your father.”

“Thank you. You have no idea how much I wish my dad would just listen to me, I’m not a helpless little girl.”

“Najuma, your dad has every right to worry about you, you’re his child, and he doesn’t want to lose you like he’s lost your mother. So please, give him a little patience.”

“I’ll try Corinth because I like you, and I trust you, but he irks me, especially when he doesn’t listen. At least you listen, you remind me of my mom in a lot of ways.” Najuma said, as she wrapped her arms around me, it took me by surprise. I caressed the back of her head and returned her hug.

“Let’s go see your dad before he becomes worried sick and starts looking for you,” I said, letting go of the preteen as we took off out of my gate and made our way to Bahari Bay.

Chapter Text

“Um…there was a man who came while I was waiting for you, but he came with Nai’o and Reth, they grabbed the bathroom fixtures and put them in your bathroom for you. I didn’t go in at all, but…I—I figured I’d tell you before we got back to my house.” Najuma said and my mind immediately went to the letter Lars sent me earlier.

“Oh—that’s fine. That man you didn’t know, was Lars. He signed me up for a record deal.”

“Oh! Right. You sing, you have a pretty voice, I’d rather—you know, work with my hands, and create things that way. I appreciate your talent though.” Najuma said, as we walked down the path. “Did he buy those bathroom fixtures for you? That’s a really expensive set he bought, not as expensive as say, the Bellflower set, but still, it’s up there.”

“He did? You know how much it cost?”

“I stay with Tish from time to time, when Dad needs a break or whatever and she’s discussed the prices of her furniture with me,” Najuma said as we walked through the gate and entered Bahari Bay. “Lars dropped quite a bit of gold on you. That set is rare, the toilet alone costs six figures.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Whoo. Well then.” I said as I geared my mind toward the task at hand. It was still miraculously early enough to find Hodari in his workshop. I was surprised, but he must have been working on something important. Najuma took her post by the pond outside their house leaving me alone with her father.

“Hey Hodari,” I said, leaning against the doorway of the workshop. Hodari looked annoyed as he looked at me.

“Corinth, what do you want?”

“Najuma let me know that she thinks the mines are haunted.”

“Not you too. I told her to quit tellin' stories. I don't know what's goin' on with her lately…”

“Hodari, you just need to listen to her!”

“...Not like I don't try. But I know what's wrong with the mines, and it ain't no made-up spirit. She's always had an active imagination, but this is the first time she's really dug her feet in.” Hodari wiped his brow and set his tool down. “The veins are running dry, so I'm havin' to go deeper and deeper. But I don't have the lights to support it. The mines ain't haunted, they're just dark. S'easy to catch yourself seein' shadows so deep in the earth like that. You really wanna set her mind at east, you can help me catch some lantern bugs.”

“That’s it? I’ll get them to you by tomorrow, I need to wait until night to catch them anyway.” I said, crossing my hands over my chest. We stared at each other for a moment.

“Is that all?” Hodari asked, before he picked up his screwdriver again to start fixing his machine. I shrugged.

“Yeah, I guess. I’ll head back to Kilima and come back sometime tonight to get those lantern bugs.” I said, as I went to turn on my heel to walk out of the workshop.

“Hang on.” Hodari said, as he dropped his screwdriver and walked up to me. I looked up at him. Hodari stepped closer and I took a step back, my back hitting the side of the workshop. His eyes studied me, as his arm grabbed the side of the wood pillar and I glanced at it for a moment before swallowing. My heart leaped into my throat, as it started beating faster.

“W-what’s up?”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for us so far. I know you don’t have to go out of your way for us,” Hodari’s eyes fell to my lips then he met my eyes again. His stare was smoldering. “But you do it, and you got me feeling like a teenager again, ah, I ain’t good with my words, let my actions do the talkin’.” Hodari said, as he brought his lips to mine. My stomach was swarmed with butterflies. I closed my eyes to absorb his kiss. He didn’t deepen it but stayed in the kiss for a bit, his lips moving against mine for a moment before he pulled away. “That was nice, but you should probably get out of here.”

“O-okay.” I breathed out, licking my lips as he let his arm down, to let me go. “I’ll be back later tonight with those Paper Lantern bugs.”

“Yeah, I know you will. See you later Cori.” Hodari said, as he gave me a three-finger way as I ran off toward the gate of Kilima.

On the way back to Kilima, I stopped into Zeki’s shop and saw Delaila, so I asked her about her interests in books. Upon jotting it down in my notebook, I bought some spice sprouts from Zeki, and made my way up to Sifuu’s blacksmith, and I told her about my survey about what the villagers wanted to read.

“With that, I already have the perfect book! There’s action, romance, violence, an exotic setting, and the style can’t be beaten! Not to mention the story’s full of heart and soul!” Sifuu said, excitedly, but I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Huh. Where did I go wrong?” She asked, her eyes meeting mine.

“Work on your grammar Sifuu and get rid of the phrase ‘rippling arm’. Please.”

“Grammar! Only nerds care about grammar. But of course, nerds read books...I see where you’re coming from though, I’ll rework my book, and hopefully, Caleri will approve of the draft this time!” Sifuu said, as she smiled widely at me. “Thanks, I appreciate your help with this Cori.”

“Anytime, if you need me, you know where to find me,” I said, waving at Sifuu before leaving. I went home this time, to organize my things, and eat something really quick.

I got lost in organizing my plot and making new furniture that the town bells chimed. I could hear Auni running up my path.

“Oh! Corinth! I like what you did with the place. I’ve got a letter from Sifuu, and a letter from Hekla for you.”

“Hey Auni, is there anything you need? Hassian wanted me to check in with you.”

“Sure, I heard you were getting close with Sifuu, do you think you could have her make me a wooden sword? I wanna show Nai’o I can handle myself. You know?”

“Sure thing Auni! Are you playing cards with Hassian tonight?”

“Of course! He’s been distracted lately though, he’s been letting me win a lot, and I’m not sure why. He’s been talking about you a lot too. Are you and him seeing each other?”

“Huh, that’s unlike him and that’s none of your business.”

“Well, your mail is in the box.”

“Thank you Auni! I’ll talk to you later.”

“Yep! See ya!”

I grabbed my mail from the mailbox and opened up Sifuu’s letter first. I frowned.

Dear Cori,

Come meet me at the tavern. I need somebody to drown my sorrows with.

Oh boy, either Caleri is a stickler, or something didn’t go to plan. I made sure to bring a flask of water with me, because I knew Sifuu would be forcing alcohol down my throat. I then read the letter from Hekla.

Dear Corinth,

Hello, Jina's human friend. Jina's face is now leaking with sadness. I am unsure of how to proceed from here. Lullabies and gentle rocking seem to anger her more than they soothe her. My knowledge is failing me.

I frowned, I wondered what made Jina so upset, but I didn’t have time to deal with that at the moment.

First however, I needed to mourn the death of Kenyatta’s plants with her. So, to the Central Stables I went. Sure enough, she was there.

“What happened?” I asked, as I approached her.

“So, turns out gardening sucks, and I hate it, and I'm never doing it again.” Kenyatta said, rolling her eyes.

“Well, it’s not for everyone.” I said shrugging.

“Yeah, I figured that one out.” Kenyatta said, rolling her eyes at me again. “So, gardening's not my thing. That's fine, there's plenty of other things to try, right?”

I racked my brain, Kenyatta loved clothing, so maybe Jel could give her some pointers on how to make her dress. “Well, you love fashion, have you tried designing clothes?”

“Clothes, huh? I mean, I've always liked buying them. Yeah, why not? I can ask Jel to give me some tips tomorrow. It's so hard to find anything in my style out here anyways, might be kinda nice to make my own stuff.” Kenyatta then gave me a hug. Her touch was electric. “Thanks, Cori. You're not so bad, y'know?”

“Well, help is my middle name it seems. Let me know how it goes, will you?”

“Totally. See you later.”

I smiled at Kenyatta and waved. “Catch ya later.” I said, as I turned on my heel and headed straight to the Inn where I quickly found Sifuu. “Hey! Did something happen with your book?” I asked, looking up at the tall woman. Sifuu waved down Ashura.

“Hey Ashura, can you add a bottle of Bahari Apple Rum to my tab and get me two shot glasses?” Sifuu said as she waved for me to sit at the table.

Ashura looked at her with an apprehensive look on his face. “Sifuu, is everything okay?”

“No, I’m discussing things with Corinth.”

“You know what, I’ll add the bottle to your tab, you’re splitting it three ways. You look like you could use a friend.”

“Ashura, you have an Inn to run.” I said, looking up at him. Ashura returned my look, however.

“I know, but I need to talk to you too, and I could use a drink before I have that conversation.”

Sifuu looked up at Ashura, then to me. “That sounds serious.” Sifuu said, as she watched Ashura walk away to get the bottle of Apple rum, and the shot glasses.

“Well, I have an idea what it’s about anyway, about your book, is everything well?”

“Yes, and no. When I was trying to do the rewrite I just felt like a big fake. Just a total pretender. I mean, it's been years since I've actually hunted anything bigger than a Sernuk. Heck, I haven't considered hunting a Sernuk a big adventure since I was ten!”

“Oh, I see. Well, I haven’t done much hunting myself. Just regular and elder sernuks…I haven’t even tried hunting the Proudhorn sernuk yet, I don’t have the right arrows.”

Ashura got back with the bottle of apple rum and three shot glasses. Sifuu then looked at me. “Get with Hassian I’m sure he can point you in the right direction,” She then turned to Ashura, “I’ll take a couple shots before I head out, I have some work to do.”

“Sure thing.” Ashura said, as he began pouring a round of shots for us. We touched shot glasses before partaking. I then looked at Ashura.

“What did you need to discuss with me? I’m not in trouble am I?”

“It would be best if we were alone to discuss this,” He then glanced at Sifuu. “No offense Sifuu, I need to pick Corinth’s mind about some things pertaining to my employee.”

“Reth, yeah how are things coming along between you and him anyway? He well—he’s taken quite the liking to you too, same as Hass.” Sifuu said, as she grabbed the bottle of apple rum and poured herself another shot before plopping down a sack of gold coins down on the table. “This should be enough to cover my tab and a little extra for yourself Ashura,” Sifuu said as she quickly swallowed down the shot.

“They’re going well I guess? I haven’t seen him in a couple of days except for passing by the Inn here. Are you taking off?” I asked, my eyes glancing up at the Majiri woman, and she nodded.

“Yep, book ain’t going to write itself. Let me know how that hunt goes so I can get more inspiration won’t you?”

“I can.” I said as I watched Sifuu walk out the door before turning my attention to Ashura, who was now partaking in his second shot of the night.

“Want another?”

“Sure. Why not, did you want to have this conversation here? Or somewhere else?”

“Let me pour you one more shot, put this bottle away, and make sure everything is good for a bit. You can go upstairs and meet me in the spare room you changed clothes in when you first got here. You remember where it’s at right?”

“Yeah, I can.” I said and I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“Good, you’re not in trouble or anything, I figured you would know more about what’s going on with Reth than I do.” Ashura said as he filled my empty shot glass before corking the bottle back up and getting up from the table. “I shouldn’t be too long.”

I nodded as I slug the shot back before handing my empty shot glass to Ashura and getting up from the table myself before making my way over to the stairs. I went upstairs and sat on the bed patiently waiting for Ashura to meet me there. Nearly twenty minutes passed before I heard Ashura’s heavy foot fall coming up the stairs.

He did appear in the doorway. “Sorry about the time I kept you waiting, I wish I could say this was a friendly chat, but I’ll get right to it. What exactly did you think you were doing by helping Reth?” Ashura asked, as he leaned against the door his eyes meeting mine. I let out a breath, hoping to quell the heaviness in my chest and stomach.

“How'd you find out? I was trying to not raise suspicion.” I asked, looking up at Ashura.

“It was pretty obvious. Reth might be good at lying to others—but I know his tells. The lad's poker face is worse than Auni's. He didn't give you up, of course. I had to ask around for that. Next time you hide things in the bay, make sure no one sees you.” Ashura said, his stare falling on me.

“Was it Hodari?”

“Yes, Hodari mentioned he saw you sneaking around in the bay the night Reth held his little dinner party for me. Did you think if you hid everything from me, I wouldn't find out?” Ashura asked, his voice raising a bit toward the end.

“Ashura, I’ve been pleading with Reth to tell you about his dealings with the cartel…I was just helping him out, that was it. It was never my intention to keep everything from you or Tish. I just told Tish earlier today too about Reth’s dealings with the Cartel. I just didn’t know how much you knew or any of that.”

“The Cartel? Reth is involved with the grimalkin cartel?” Ashura hit his fist against the doorway violently, and I jumped. I had never seen Ashura act out, and it was evident, he was furious and rightfully so. “I’ll be right back, I’m grabbing a chair, a bottle of apple rum, and a couple of shot glasses. You will tell me everything you know.”

“I will, just don’t hit me, please.”

Ashura’s angry glare then softened. “I’m sorry if I startled you by my actions. I’m angry, but if you’re willing to talk to me, then I’m more than willing to hear you out. I would never hurt you. That’s not who I am.” Ashura said as he turned on his heel to walk out of the room. He came back moments later with a chair, the bottle of rum we started on from earlier, and two clean shot glasses. “I think all the humans who will be arriving tonight have already.” Ashura said, as he pulled the nightstand over in front of me, before setting the bottle upon it along with the shot glasses.

Ashura immediately uncorked the rum and poured us shots before he partook of his shot. I followed his lead and took my shot as well. He set the chair in front of me and sat down on it. “Ashura, I really just wanted to help him. It was never my intention to keep it from you. That night he was jumped; it was from a deal that went south. I accidentally shot one of the grimalkin beating Reth to a pulp with an arrow through his Achilles. I simply wanted to scare them off, anyway,” I said shaking my head, “We ended up at Hassian’s Grove because I wasn’t in the mood to fight off Tamala’s advances. I got Chayne to come to Hassian’s grove to patch Reth up. I was hoping and waiting that he would just come out and tell you.”

“You think this is helping him?” Ashura asked, as he let out heavy sigh. “Look. Reth can spend the rest of his life running away, lying to anyone who might care about him. I've seen the way he looks at you—and talks about you. He'd hang the moon if you asked him to.”

“I know he would, and I’ve begged him to tell you and Tish. I have, but he’s a stubborn ass, a loveable ass, but stubborn none-the-less.” I said, as I went to pour myself another shot of rum. I was feeling the alcohol now, it made my insides warm, cheeks flushed, and head swim.

“Look, the point is, I care about Reth. He listens to you maybe not in this instance, but he'd hang the moon if you asked him to. I've never seen him that way before.”

“Look, Ashura, I would do the same for him as well. He and I have gotten close. I'm sorry for being deceitful, and not telling you sooner. Every conversation I’ve had has evolved around him telling you at one point or another.”

“It's not me you should be sorry to. If you haven't noticed, I'm used to Reth lying to me. I try not to push him too hard, because I know he'll run away if I do. So, help lead him on the right path. For his own sake.”

“I will Ashura, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get him out of the cartel’s dealings, both Zeki and I have been brainstorming. We’ve come up with nothing as of yet.”

“How did he end up in the cartel?” Ashura asked, looking at me, as he poured another shot for himself.

“You know that flower Tish wears in her hair? It’s infused with flow and it’s currently keeping her healthy and alive. She was extremely sick in Bahari City. Reth didn’t want to lose his sister too, so he took her to every doctor, Shaman, and Sage he could, and nobody knew what was wrong with her. She kept getting worse so Reth heard a rumor that the cartel might have what he needed. Once Reth struck a deal with the cartel for the flower, he was set up with Zeki as his cartel contact and that’s how it’s been I guess for the past six months.”

“Wow. I mean, I know Reth loved his sister, but that…” Ashura said, as he let out a down-sliding whistle. “Well, I've said my peace. Maybe I'm just an old man overstepping his bounds... but I want to see Reth thrive here, and I want the same for you. So, I put a pot of chapaa masala downstairs, I’ll send you off with a soup canteen full. Lugging those shipments around must have been tiring work.”

“It was, and I appreciate it. I should probably head out to Bahari Bay. I still need to get some lantern bugs for Hodari and meet up with Hassian to see if I can get my hands on those dispel arrows. Sifuu still needs that proudhorn sernuk.” I said, as I poured one last one shot for the road.

“Corinth. One word of advice do not overextend yourself here. It will catch up with you. I see you going…need I say it, balls to the wall and bending over backwards to appease everyone, that doesn’t need to happen. Take care of yourself first.”

“How am I supposed to do that when Embra has made it so I can’t sleep? I don’t get tired, and I don’t understand it. It’s clear she’s got some purpose for me, what that is though, I don’t know.”

“Chayne was telling me about some of the dreams you’ve been having after you’ve taken that sleeping elixir Tamala makes for Hodari. Embra has given you some nuggets of knowledge from what I understand, something she hasn’t done for any other human I’ve come across. Everyone seems content with not knowing anything about their previous lives.”

“I know, but sometimes I wonder if it’d be best not knowing sometimes and live in ignorance of who I once was…”

Ashura stopped me. “Don’t say that, you’re talented, unique, and you’re fitting in quite well here. Don’t sell yourself short kiddo, you’ve brought new life to my Inn, Reth is absolutely head over heels for you, and you’ve piqued the interest of quite of few people here.” Ashura said as he put a large warm hand on my knee. “I know it seems overwhelming at times, but take it a bit at a time, enjoy your surroundings, and yourself. Everything will fall into place.” Ashura finished as he squeezed my knee, and I put my hand over his and squeezed his hand. My knee burned from his touch. He then cleared his throat and withdrew his hand. It was clear this was becoming too intimate for him, and he was uncomfortable with it.

“I should probably go.”

“Just heed my advice will ya?” Ashura asked, looking up at me. I could simply nod, as I got up, grabbing my bag and slipping out of the room. I bit my lip and thought about my interaction with Ashura, as I trotted down the stairs and out of the Inn but before I did, I did glance at the time. It was a little after 9 pm and I knew the lantern bugs would be out. I made my way back to Bahari Bay, and headed to Beachcomber’s Cove and quickly caught the bugs I needed and quickly found Hodari outside of the mines.

“As promised. I have five Paper Lantern bugs for you, as you requested.” I said, as I handed the jar with the five bugs inside of it to Hodari.

“There they are. Huh, the little things’ brighter than I expected. Thanks for this. If Najuma does sneak back in those mines, at least I know she won't get lost in the dark.”

“I’m glad I could help, but why did you kiss me earlier?”

“You look like you wanted to be kissed, and honestly, who wouldn’t want to. There’s something about you, I can’t put my finger on it yet.” Hodari said as he picked up his pickaxe and sat it on his shoulder. “You comin’? We can walk and talk.”

“Something about me?” I asked, as I followed Hodari up the path towards his house.

“Yeah, everytime I’m around you, I jus’ I dunno, I get the strongest urges to just…I don’t know…now I’ve done said too much. It ain’t jus’ me either, you affect everyone you come across.”

“What kind of urges? I’m confused. I don’t have any mind reading powers, and I certainly can’t control what other people do Hodari. I’m just human.” I said, looking at Hodari.

“I know, but there’s something different ‘bout ya. You’re human, but people here are drawn to you like a moth to a flame. That’s the only way I can explain it.” Hodari said, as he ran a hand over his brow to wipe the perspiration about to drip into his eye. “Anyway, did you need to do anything else while here in Bahari? Did you want to stay for dinner? I’m sure ‘Juma would love to see ya.”

“I would love to, but I need to track down Hassian to see about getting my hands on some dispel arrows and take down a Proudhorn sernuk.”

“Ah, I see. Well, Hassian doesn’t usually come back to the Bay til’ 11. I can grill us up some steaks while ya wait.”

“I have a soup canteen full of chapaa masala I can share too, I guess.” I said, looking up at the man who had a smirk on his face.

We shared a meal of my chapaa masala, sernuk steaks, and grilled potatoes. It was delicious. I left the now empty soup canteen with Hodari who said he’d give it back to Ashura when he went to town the next day. I bid the Pavels goodnight, as I went to sit at the lake in front of Hassian’s Grove. I still had a bit of time to sit and reflect and a song popped into my head. So, I took out my notepad and turned to it an empty page as well as my pen and began writing down the words flowing through my head.

Here in the dark
I feel electric
I sense my skin in between the waves

I am human, I am criminal
But I feel life here in my heart again

Standing in the rain
Thinking of a way
To keep these feelings inside

Walk away from here
Before the words appear
I will be silent

Here in the dark
I feel electric
I sense my skin in between the waves

I am human, I am criminal
But I feel life here in my heart again

I hide behind the walls
So you don’t notice me at all
But it hurts me so

I’m waiting in the wind
Whispering the things
I want you to know

Here in the dark
I feel electric
I sense my skin in between the waves

I am human, I am criminal
But I feel life here in my heart again

Here in the dark
I feel electric
I sense my skin in between the waves

I am human, I am criminal
But I feel life here in my heart again

Only for you
Only for you
Only for you
Only you
Only you
Only for you
Only for you
Only you
Only you

“What are you doing out here at this hour?”

I jumped at the sudden intrusion and put a hand over my now racing heart. “Holy fuck! Hassian! I didn’t hear you approach.”

Hassian chuckled at my reaction before Tau came over to me and gave me a welcoming lick on my face. “That was the point.”

“Hey Tau!” I said, as I scratched him behind his ears which earned more licks on my face and got me to smile and laugh. “I was here to see you actually. I need to hunt a Proudhorn sernuk for your mother.”

“Yeah, she told me but it’s too much beast for you yet.”

“Why do you say that? I know they magically teleport and what not, I also know I need dispel arrows.”

“You haven’t hunted that much. If you want these arrows, you need to prove your skill to me.”

“Then let me prove it, Hassian. Come with me to hunt some sernuk.”

“At this hour? You do know what time it is, right?”

“Why not at this hour?”

“I’m not like you, I need sleep, but—” Hassian then sat down next to me. “—for you, I’ll make an exception. What were you writing about?”

“Oh, just something I came up with. You wanna read it?” I asked glancing at Hassian as he sat next to me. He put an arm around me.

“Sure.” Hassian said as I handed my notebook to him. He read both pages and smiled. “You are talented. I assume you have melodies for both of these songs?” Hassian asked as he handed the notebook back to me. I nodded as I closed up the notebook and put it back in my bag.

“Yeah, kinda. I’ll need to play around with the piano at the Inn to flesh these songs out, but I have an idea for melodies.” I said, as I put my backpack back on and got up from my sitting position on the dock. Hassian followed my lead and got up with me. I do need to get that proudhorn sernuk though.

“We’ll hunt it together. I heard you’ve gotten better, Reth told me.” Hassian said, as I began leading me away from the lake.

“I thought you said it was too much beast for me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at Hassian. He looked at me with a curious look.

“That’s why I am helping you with it. You’ll need these.” Hassian said, as he pulled off his quiver and handed me five arrows, with glistening arrowheads. “The shafts are made of flow wood, while the arrowhead is made from iron doused in brightshroom. The flow tends to stop the magical powers from magical beings for a short time.”

“Oh, it’s mesmerizing and I can feel it vibrating in my hand.”

“Yes, that’s the flow. We should get to tracking the sernuk down. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good…”

“No I mean, are you still menstruating?”

“It’s light now, I should be finished within the next day or so, why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason, I thought maybe you were still in pain.”

I raised my eyebrow at him. “Oh. Did you have another one of your massages in mind?”

Although I wasn’t looking at him, I could hear the smirk on his face. “Hm. Would you like one? My grove isn’t too far…”

“Let’s get this sernuk first, then maybe I might take you up on that massage.” I said, this time looking at him, and he was eyeing me up. I winked at him, and he let out a snort of amusement.

“Okay,” Hassian said as we continued down the path. “You must have liked what we did.”

“I did. I’m still learning a lot about myself. Everything is still new, and exciting.” I said, as I continued walking next to Hassian as we made it to the main path that led to the beach underneath the lighthouse.

“I too am learning a lot about myself, and about humans through you.” Hassian said, as he glanced at me. I smiled. I felt Hassian interlace his fingers with my own and we walked hand in hand towards the Flooded Steps. On the hill south of Flooded Steps strutted the magical beast in all of its glowing majesty. “You’re not going to take this creature out with one arrow. You stay here, I’ll flank him from the north. Listen for my whistle, you’ll know I have a clear shot.”

I looked at him and nodded as I watched him disappear around the hill. I stealthily approached the creature until I knew I was close enough to land an arrow. I waited, carefully watching the Proudhorn Sernuk as it walked around on the hills next to the Flooded Steps.

I stood around for about five minutes messing with the string and nocking point of the bow with my fingers when I heard the distinct whistle. I quickly drew my bow up, tucked a dispel arrow into the nocking point and pulled back on the string as I aimed at the majestic creature. I loosed the arrow the same time Hassian loosed his. A loud chime ripped through the air twice as each arrow hit its mark. The creature didn’t teleport, but instead took off limping right toward Hassian.

“HASSIAN WATCH OUT!” I yelled, as I loosed another two arrows hoping to get the beast to change direction. Both arrows hit the beast with a loud chiming noise. Hassian’s eyes widened as quickly dove out of the way before rolling and quickly shot an arrow which managed to be the final blow. The beast went down not too far from Hassian. I ran over to Hassian “Are you okay?”

The man was out of breath, as he pulled his knife out of the sheath on his chest as he slashed into the neck of the beast. It let out a high-pitched whine as we made eye contact. I frowned as I saw the life literally leave the beast’s eyes causing tears to flood my eyes. A pool of blood quickly accumulated on the ground. I let out a heavy breath to push back my tears, as knelt down and pushed on the sernuk’s chest to help bleed out the animal faster.

“Were you crying?”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.” I said, as I continued compressions on the animal’s chest. “But yes, I was. I feel bad for taking down such a majestic creature.”

“It’s normal. You show empathy for the creatures of the forest. Do not lose that about yourself. So many humans just hunt for the thrill of it anymore.”

“I didn’t really like the idea of hunting in the first place. I still don’t particularly like it, but I try to dispatch animals as humanely as I can.”

“That’s all you can do. You still have much to learn about hunting however, I need you to not be so empathetic towards the chapaa menace though.”

“They’re cute though.” I said, looking at Hassian with wide eyes.

“They’re a menace. You cannot be serious right now.”

I smirked knowing I was getting under his skin. “They’d make such an adorable little pet. Don’t you think Hassian?”

Hassian groaned as he handed me his hunting knife. “Get to skinning. Also give me the two dispel arrows you should have. You shot only three out of the five arrows I gave you.”

I let out a breath. “Can’t I just keep them?”

“You could, but my stock of dispel arrows is getting low.”

“Ugh, fine.” I said, as I took the two arrows out of my pack and handed them to him.

Hassian chuckled, as I began skinning the proudhorn sernuk. “I’m assuming I’m not a high enough level to get the arrows yet?”

“No. While you are skilled, you still have yet to kill 25 chapaas, and you still haven’t returned with the flyers for the hunt I put together yet.”

“Oh fuck, I knew I was forgetting something.”

“It’s fine Cori, I understand you’re a very busy woman. If you need to take down another proudhorn, I’ll be willing to be your hunting partner.” Hassian said, as I got the pelt off in one piece. I then began working on getting the sernuk gutted.

“Have you ever figured out where Tau has been going at night? ”

“Oh that letter I sent a while ago? No. Again, we have all the time in the world to figure that out. Have I told you, you look beautiful elbows deep inside of a sernuk?”

“No, and I’d rather you not mention it again.” I said, feeling out of breath as I scooped out the innards and cut the necessary ligaments, muscles and tubal structures keeping the organs intact to the inside of the animal. I then cut the organs into tiny pieces and disbursed them out and away from the animal for the various other animals to eat. “You got this thing?” I asked, as I handed Hassian back his knife.

“Yeah I got it, here.” Hassian said, as he cut the glowing antlers off the beast before he handed them to me. “A trophy for my mother.”

“Thank you. Feel free to keep the meat and the hide as payment for helping me take down the beast.”

“Are you sure? You didn’t want to share it?”

“No. I’m good on food at the moment.”

“Okay, what about the massage?”

“I’ll take a raincheck on it. I need to get these to your mom.”

“My mother is most likely in bed. You might as well stay with me tonight, I’d feel better knowing you’re with me and safe.”

“Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to spend the night together?” I asked, as he heaved the sernuk onto his shoulders.

“We can spend all the time together we’d like now, and it doesn’t have to involve sex, as much as I would love for that to happen, you and my mother are still getting to know each other.”

“Fine, maybe we can wash up then follow Tau and see what he’s been up to, I haven’t seen him around since the lake.”

“Tau will be fine, you however, are a mess.”

“I don’t have any extra clothes, toiletries or anything.”

“If you don’t mind taking a cold shower at my waterfall inside the grove. I can let you have some extra clothes, and let you use my soap. While you bathe, I can process the sernuk, wash your clothes, and get some soup on.”

“That sounds great actually.”

“I could also help you with that bite wound Jel gave you last night as well.” Hassian said, as we entered the aqueduct. I stopped dead in my tracks. What the actual fuck? I stared at Hassian with a shocked look on my face. I could feel the blood leave my face before being replaced with ferocity. Quickly heating my face and ears. “Don’t look at me like that. I can’t catch you if you faint on me.”

“H-how did you—I’m so fucking embarassed.”

“Jel told me and Reth last night when we both came in asking for commissions for clothing for you. See I was there and heard everything that happened between the two of you last night.”

“I’m sorry,”

“Don’t be. I’m not a jealous man. I just didn’t appreciate that Jel bit you hard enough to draw blood.”

“Well, he was in the moment I guess.”

“I’ll check it out when we get back to the grove. He clearly has a thing for blood, I don’t. So don’t expect me to do that when you’re in that time of the month.” Hassian said, as he shuddered in disgust. I let out a heavy breath as he walked ahead of me. I kept quiet for the majority of the walk.

“So, you’re not mad?”

“No. We can talk about this later. I’m focusing on trying not to drop this sernuk.”

“Oh, of course.” I said, and neither one of us uttered another word until we were outside of Hassian’s grove. He placed the sernuk carcass on the dock by the lake in front of his grove before he grasped my hand and pulled me inside.

“Show me the bite.” Hassian said his eyes met mine. I simply nodded and pulled off my pants, leaving my panties on and carefully peeled off the makeshift bandage I put over it. I turned my right leg so he could see the inside of my thigh. “That’s not good. It’s starting to get infected. Has it been burning or throbbing?”

“Slightly, I haven’t really noticed it.”

“Hm. Well it’s starting to bruise as well. Best for you to shower first and clean up before I work on the wound. Let me grab you some soap, and other shower products before I leave you to bathe.” Hassian said, as I watched him walk away. I looked down at the bite mark and frowned as I saw the teeth marks were puffy and swollen. There was a ring of red, hot, and angry skin around the bite.

“Gr, Jel what the fuck were you thinking?” I muttered to myself. I touched the skin and immediately hissed in pain. It was hot and painful to touch.

“Okay, I gathered some antiseptic, and proper dressings. Here’s some soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and an extra razor I had lying around. There’s towels and a sponge on those rocks next to the waterfall. I grabbed you a shirt and I can grab you some pants when we clean and dress your wound. The antiseptic will burn, so be prepared.”

“Okay,” I swallowed as I grabbed the shower supplies from Hassian before he set down the antiseptic and the dressing next to his chapaa bedroll. Our eyes met, and Hassian’s stare softened. He leaned forward and touched his lips against mine. My eyes fluttered shut for a moment.

“I’ll see you in a bit.” Hassian said as he walked out. I then turned my attention to the waterfall. I set the bottles and soap on a stone within arms reach of the waterfall. I checked the temperature of the water; it wasn’t nearly as cold as the pond on my plot, but it was still a bit too cold to find refreshing. I shrugged as I took off my blouse, and my panties. I removed my tampon, to find that was barely bloody, and whatever was on it, was brown, a telltale sign that it was old blood. The tampon was soaked with normal clear discharge. I breathed a sigh of relief; my period was finally done. I was completely exposed to the night air. My nipples reacted to the chilly air.

I drew in a deep breath as I stepped into the fast downpour of the cool waterfall. My body shivered as I submerged myself fully into the waterfall. I washed my hair and body, taking special care of the bitemark. Damn thing was painful.

I allowed myself to stay under the flow of the waterfall until my skin tingled and I was in the first stages of hypothermia before I decided to step out. I felt clean and all the traces of sernuk blood were washed away. I sighed again, as I dried myself off with a clean towel from the stack Hassian kept beside the waterfall. I opted not to use Hassian sponge and instead used a pumice stone I found to exfoliate with.

I peeled on the shirt Hassian had given me. It was a simple linen shirt, it was pretty comfortable. I didn’t bother with inserting another tampon, and just pulled my underwear back on. I was still facing the waterfall and I heard Hassian clear his throat. I jumped and turned around to find Hassian staring at me. I swallowed heavily.

“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting you here.” I said, as I felt heat encompass my face and my heartbeat heavily in my chest.

“I-I have sernuk noodle soup on the campfire for us. Come lay on my bedroll and I’ll get that bite dressed.” Hassian said, and there was a husky undertone in his voice. It shot waves of arousal to my lower belly and womanhood. “Are you warm enough? Hand me your dirty clothes and I can get them washed in a bit.”

“I’m okay.” I said, as I grabbed my dirty, bloodstained clothing before handing them over to Hassian to set them to the side as waved for me lay down on his bedroll. I did as I was told, laid down on Hassian bedroll. He set a towel down underneath the bite mark.

“I’m going to get right on it, take in a deep breath. This is going to sting a lot.” Hassian said, as he picked up the bottle of antiseptic and began splashing the contents all over the bite wound. I hissed out in pain; stinging was an understatement. It literally felt like I was being stabbed by thousands of tiny hot knives. “Oh wow. I’m sorry Corinth,”

“Hassian, it hurts.”

“I know, I need to keep pouring the antiseptic until it stops bubbling.” Hassian said, as he poured more antiseptic over the wound, and I hissed out in pain again. It wasn’t as bad as the first pour, but it still stung like a bitch. Tears filled my eyes. The third pour of the antiseptic wasn’t as bad as the first or second. The pain subsided by the time the fourth pour enveloped the wound. “It’s not bad now is it?”

I shook my head. “No. Not as bad now. Sorry.” I said, as I wiped my tears away.

“Don’t be, it painful. I’m going to put some healing salve on it before I dress it. That way it doesn’t leave a scar.” Hassian said, as he pulled a tincture of salve out of a pouch he carried on him. “I’m assuming Jel gave this to you, it has no antiseptic properties. Slight antibiotic properties, but you needed to clean this out properly.” Hassian said as he slathered the cool salve over the wound. I watched him carefully. He truly did care about me. He then wrapped my leg with a gauze-like bandage. “I’m going to put a few rolls in your bag as well as a tincture of healing salve. You should change it once a day.”

“Thank you Dr. Hassian.” I teased as Hassian finished wrapping my wound.

Hassian smiled, “You’re very welcome. Can’t have you becoming septic from a bite Jel inflicted on you.”

“About that…”

“What is there to talk about Corinth, I already said I don’t mind sharing you. We’ve already discussed that I will be your first.”

“I know we discussed this…when though…”

“Soon, Chayne wants you to get close to my mother and get to know her first. I’m not about to go against my Shepp and his advice. You need to get to know my mother better. Reth and Jel have given me their blessing and won’t make a move until we have consummated our relationship.”

“You talked with Reth and Jel? When? Sifuu’s having me work on a book with her.”

“A book? What about?” Hassian asked, seeming surprised and I could tell he wasn’t going to answer my initial question.

“How she supposedly met your mother, Taylin. It’s kind of scandalous…”

“Where is this book?”

“On the coffee table in the living room at her house.”

“Hm. I will have to take a look at it. I’m going to get you a pair of pants, because you’re teasing me then I’ll get your clothes washed and hung to dry. Just relax next to the fire.”

I did just that, while Hassian dropped a pair of pants which I slid on. They were brown linen pants with simple drawstrings. Once again they were really comfortable. Hassian disappeared with my soiled clothing.

I relaxed and checked out the stars that peeked at through the clouds through the opening of Hassian’s Grove. I would have to remember to drop off the flyers to Tish and see what she could do with them. I could hear something boiling and I glanced over to the fire and saw the sernuk noodle soup Hassian had thrown together boiling over. The soup was threatening to put out the fire with how fiercely it was boiling over, so I got up, grabbed the wooden spoon nearby and quickly stirred the soup. It looked like the broth was thickening up from the noodles. The meat also looked like it was sliced into small strips so it would cook quickly. The soup looked and smelled amazing.

I was tempted to taste it but knew it was entirely too hot to do so, so I kept a vigilant eye on it, making sure to scrape the bottom so it wouldn’t become scorched. I heard the door to the grove open and close.

“Keeping an eye on the soup?” I heard Hassian say inquisitively, I turned my head toward him and nodded. “Your clothes are washed; I’m going to set up my drying rack next to the fire to allow them to dry. You don’t mind keeping an eye on things a little longer, do you, my huntress?”

Hearing him call me a pet name threw my head for a loop. Of all the people to give me a pet name, Hassian would’ve been last on that list. “Are you coming up with pet names for me now?”

“Well, I do plan on pinning you soon. I kn-know it’s corny. Perhaps I should’ve put more thought into it…or stuck with something more casual like baby, or honey.”

“I love it. Don’t change it, I don’t mind being called your huntress. I mean, Reth calls me his ’Fancy Pants’ all because I got him a cooking book explaining how to cook for the upper class.”

“That’s where that name came from. You know he doesn’t just call you that you know.”

“Oh, I know. I’ve heard him refer to Penelope as ‘Sweet Tooth’ and he’s called other humans ‘Fancy Pants’ I know the name isn’t just for me.”

“I don’t go around calling random people my hunters and huntresses either. I’m not Reth. You’re the only human I’ve called that so far. I’ve never even called another majiri that…ugh, just don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to give other humans pet names. I feel a strong bond towards you, okay? It would humiliate me if you told anyone.”

I walked over to him and pulled his face to look at me. “Hassian, you have nothing to worry about with me. I will not humiliate you; I couldn’t do that to someone I love.”

Hassian smiled at me sheepishly. “You—you mean that, right?”

“Absolutely. Tamala did a number on you, didn’t she?” This was the first time I saw an incredibly vulnerable side of Hassian. When he got vulnerable he tried to shut people out by being mean or keeping himself busy, so he didn’t have to think about or process his pain. He was trying to fight that side of him tonight and show me his still open wounds that Tamala left behind. His smiled dropped.

“I don’t want to talk about her tonight, but yes, she did, but you? You make my life worth living. You give me purpose. I don’t want to ruin this by being jaded by my last relationship. I want to start over new with you.” Hassian said, before he turned his attention back to getting his drying rack set up.

“I love you, Hassian.”

“I love you too Corinth.” Hassian said, before he stretched the clothing across the bars of the rack. “Go sit down, I’ll bring you over a bowl of soup.”

“Okay.” I said, as I went to go sit down.

Hassian and I ended up eating some Sernuk Noodle Soup. It was delicious. Once our bowls were empty, Hassian turned up my chin with his thumb and forefinger. “You got soup on the side of your mouth, let me…” Hassian then kissed me, before licking the side of my mouth where the offending bit of soup was. I then darted my tongue out of my mouth and touched his tongue with mine. Hassian fell for it, hook line and sinker.

The next thing I knew, I was on my back, on Hassian’s chapaa bedroll, completely consumed in the passion. His lips left mine as he began kissing my neck but the clothing he had given me to wear, it wasn’t easy to get access to me. I could sense his growing frustration. “H-Hassian…did you want a hand job? Or a blowjob?”

“No, I want to make love to you. I’ve been ready to take the next step but…” Hassian let out a groan. “…why did I give you these clothes? I’m too tired to get you out of them.” He whined. “I’d rip them right off your body if they weren’t the only pair of night clothes I had.”

“I-I know,” I let out a breath. I ran my hand over his dreadlocks. “Why don’t you just sleep. You’re tired. I mean I won’t be able to sleep, but I’ll be here while you sleep.” I said, as I slid out from underneath him and got up on my feet so he could get into his bedroll. I was turned on but had to ignore it. There was no sense in relishing in thoughts and feelings that weren’t going to be fulfilled. Hassian stripped down to his undershirt and his boxers. My eyes glazed over him and his physique.

“I feel bad that there’s not enough room to hold you.” Hassian said, as he crawled into his bedroll. I shrugged and shifted to sit beside him on the ground.

“It’s fine Hassian, is there anything you’d like for breakfast?”

“Hm. You.” My eyes widened as I looked at him.

“Excuse me?”

“Yogurt. I mean, yogurt.”

“How am I supposed to get my hands on yogurt…”

“Mm. I don’t know.” He then looked at me with a seductive glint in his eyes. We made eye contact, and I could tell he was a little delusional from the lack of sleep. “I’d be a happy man if I woke up to you sitting on my face in the morning.”

“HASSIAN! Sir, go to bed.”

He chuckled. “Hm. Fine.” Hassian said, as he rolled over with his back towards me. I couldn’t believe my now burning ears. I got up and stoked the fire, letting out an involuntary shiver as the night breeze danced over my exposed skin.

I turned back around and could hear Hassian’s steady breathing. He was in sleep’s gentle embrace, so I went out and decided to write. After cracking out lyrics for aptly named ‘Bones of Man’ and ‘Humans’, I noticed the sky began to lighten, so I decided to take the teleport next to the lake and the teleport at the Kilima Central Stables to the teleport closest to the Daiya family farm. I glanced at my coin pouch, and figured I had enough for yogurt, some eggs, a small sack of granola, a carton of fresh strawberries, and a few apples.

Badruu and Nai’o were up so I approached Nai’o.

“Good morning Nai’o.” I said, and Nai’o was surprised to see me.

“Corinth. Good morning, what brings you around here this early. The sun’s not even up yet.”

“I came to see if I could get some yogurt and eggs?”

“Oh totally. How much yogurt did you need?”

“Enough for two people?”

“I see…for you and Hassian?”

“How’d you know?”

“One, Hassian loves yogurt, he usually comes by and gets a gallon every other week. Two, you and he have been spending a lot of time together, and three, you’re in his clothes…” Nai’o said, as he flipped up a lid on a preservation barrel and grabbed a couple of sterilized jars before taking a wooden ladle and scooping the yogurt into the two jars.

“Well we haven’t had sex yet, I know, this all looks suspect, but I still have to get to know Sifuu before we can take that step, anyway you got me this weekend though, I promise Nai’o. I still haven’t forgotten.”

“Oh, that’s right, are we still on for dinner this Thursday?” Nai’o asked, his eyes lighting up.

“Yeah, I still have to tell Reth I’ll be free after dinner with your family. Do I come over here or—”

“No we’ll meet you on your plot.”

“Should I make anything special? There was a recipe for milk bread I wanted to try out…”

“No, we’ll provide all the food.”

“Are you sure?” Nai’o glanced at me and nodded while he stuck sheets of beeswax over the jars. “Okay.”

“Did you need anything else?”

“A half dozen of eggs, a carton of strawberries, a couple of apples, and do you have any granola?”

“Yeah, let me get those for you and I’ll meet you at the register and get you checked out.”

“Thanks, Nai’o, I greatly appreciate it.”

“Anytime Cori.”

I walked over to the register to and ran into Badruu.

“Ah! Isn’t it an a-maize-ing morning Corinth? Olive mornings like this…”

“It’s pretty as a peach this morning.”

“Yeah, it is isn’t it? What brings ube?”

“I came to stop by for some yogurt, berries, and eggs. Don’t worry about it though, Nai’o’s getting it for me already.” I said, not really feeling like coming up with a food pun. I loved Badruu and his puns, but they could get a bit much at times.

Just then Nai’o rounded the corner with everything neatly packed in a burlap bag. He then rang me up and I handed over the coin, paying for the items. “Have a grape day you two! Thank you for everything!” I greeted, waving goodbye with my bag of groceries before I took the teleport twice back to the lake outside of Hassian’s grove. Hassian was still asleep, and Tau was hanging out by the door.

“Hey Tau, are you wanting inside?” Tau jumped down excitedly. “Okay let’s go.” I said as I opened the door for plumehound as he raced inside and immediately pounced on Hassian, attacking the man’s face with licks.

“Ugh, Tau!” Hassian exclaimed as he affectionately petting the hound. I laughed, as I grabbed Hassian’s cutting board, and washed it in the pond before cutting up the strawberries and the apples. I grabbed the jars of yogurt and dressed them with strawberries and granola. I then grabbed a cast iron frying pan and found a bottle of cooking oil along with some salt and pepper. The fire had died out while I was outside, so I started it back up and rested the cast iron pan on the old coals. I cooked all six eggs sunny side up because I wasn’t confident enough to make over easy eggs. I slid the eggs onto a plate before toasting up some bread in the same pan. With all the food ready, I walked over to Hassian who looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“You actually went out and got yogurt?”

“You said that’s what you wanted for breakfast, I also cooked up some eggs, toast and sliced some apples for us.”

“Tau, go outside,”

The plumehound gave Hassian a look and cocked his head to the side.

“Hassian, I just let him in, now you’re sending him out again?”

“Tau. Outside now, you don’t want to see this.”

With a low growl, he got up and exited the dog door. Suddenly Hassian grabbed me and pulled me on top of him. “Hassian!”

“I wasn’t playing when I said I wanted you for breakfast last night.” Hassian said as he kissed me. His fingers snaked themselves underneath the fabric of the shirt Hassian had given me the night before and peeled it off my body. His lips left mine and trailed kissed down to my now exposed breasts. “I can’t get enough of you Corinth.”

I got lost in Hassian’s passion; our clothes got lost somewhere in the fray. I relished his kisses, and caresses, and somehow we ended up going down on each other. With me straddling his face, while my face was between his legs. Hassian’s tongue did amazing things to me, and I tried to match his fervor. He ate my pussy like it was his favorite meal. We both exploded in our climaxes our moans echoed off the walls of the grove. I swallowed everything Hassian had to give me.

“Mm. What a wonderful way to start the day.” Hassian murmured lightheartedly, while trying to catch his breath. “I wanted to do this last night…didn’t help that my dreams were filled with you either.”

“You were tired. I understand it. You needed the rest.”

“I did,” He then slapped my ass and I let out laugh. “Let’s eat a proper breakfast now, and you need to get those antlers to my mother. I’ll go take a look at my mother’s book too while you’re doing that.”

“Sounds good.” I said, as I got up off him, and went to check my clothes, and they were dry, so I put them on. Hassian opted to take the food to the dock by the lake and we shared the food together, and I ended up giving Tau an egg for being a patient and good boy for waiting outside. Tau, gave me licks, spreading egg yolk all over my face. Hassian got after him.

“Look at you, with egg on your face.” Hassian said, as he grabbed a cloth and soaking it in the lake and wiping my face with it affectionately, but Tau came over and licked Hassian’s face. “Ach! I think Tau knows what we’ve been up to.”

“I mean you did say he’s his own being.”

Hassian grabbed all the dishes while I grabbed my backpack and with a passionate kiss, we separated. Hassian headed to his mother’s while I headed to her shop. I teleported to Kilima Central Stables and headed straight to Sifuu’s shop.

“Good Morning~” I greeted Sifuu and she looked at me with a curious look on her face.

“You’re in a good mood today!”

“I am!” I said smiling as I pulled the proudhorn antlers out of my bag. “I believe you wanted this.”

“And? Tell me the story. Don't leave out any details. How did it feel to track the beast?”

“It was exciting. My heart was beating fast in my chest knowing we were going to take down the beast.”

“Interesting, and how did you finally capture it?”

“Lots of teamwork.” I said, looking up at the tall woman. She nodded.

“Anything else I should take away from the experience?” Sifuu asked raising her eyebrow at me.

“I felt kind of bad for the Sernuk. I actually cried.” I said, and Sifuu actually seemed surprised by this.

“Not exactly what I was expecting, but a unique reaction. I think I can use that. I'll write you to let you know when I'm done.”

“That was all you needed from me?”

“Yep. I’ll talk to you later.”

I shrugged. “Okay, see ya around.” I said, looking up at Sifuu and waving goodbye to her. I let out a breath and decided to pay Reth a visit at the Inn. It was Monday morning, and I knew he’d be at the Inn.

As soon as I came in, Reth saw me and winked. “Fancy Pants! Are you here for the usual?”

“Hey baby, actually, I just had a big breakfast, but I did get your letter asking what I was doing Thursday. I’m actually having the Daiya’s over for dinner.”

“Oh? That’s fine! Come find me at Jel’s shop then when you’re finished with dinner with them. What are you up to right now? You, me, backroom, five minutes?” His eyes were pleading with me, and the Inn was pretty dead at the moment, so I smirked.

“Why wait? I’ll head down there now.” I said, winking before turning, but Reth literally launched himself over the bar, and grabbed my wrist causing me to stop and look at Reth. “What?”

“Wait, really? Oh, I wasn't actually expecting you to-uhhhh. What do I say in this situation? You got me all worked up, now how am I gonna focus on the soup?”

“This is what happens when you flirt with reckless abandon Reth, are you going to keep me hanging or what? I got the time…and I’ve missed those lips of yours.”

Reth quickly ripped off his apron and tossed it on a hook inside the kitchen. He looked around before grabbing my hand and pulling me down the stairs to his storeroom where I was thrust towards the wall opposite the door as Reth engaged the lock. I spun around and I didn’t have much time to react because Reth was on me like white on rice.

His kiss was fierce, but I knew we’d have to just stick to making out for a short time until Reth got his fill, because he was still on the clock. We kissed passionately, for about five minutes and I went to pull away from him, his hands moved from pinning me against the wall by my shoulders to my hips. “Uh uh, you’re not going anywhere, not just yet—” There was a knock on the door.

“Reth? You have customers,” It was Ashura.

“Uh, yeah, sorry, I came down here because I was out of…carrots. I’ll be up in a second.” Reth said, as he frowned. “Ugh, just when I was about to turn up the heat too. We’ll have to continue this later. What are you doing tonight?”

“Um. Not exactly sure. I should probably see what’s going on with Jina. Hekla sent me a letter worried about her. If it’s nothing too major, I might be able to make it back to my house tonight, if you make house calls…”

“Mm, that’s tempting, I’ll see if I can work you into my busy schedule…” Reth said, as he let me go, and grabbed a bag of carrots. “Can I get a kiss before you hit the road?”

I smiled before touching Reth’s lips with my own briefly before pulling away. “I should go,”

“I wish you wouldn’t…”

“You have an Inn to run, I’ll see you tonight should you decide to stop by.”

“Yeah, you’re right, I’ll see ya later.” Reth said, as I exited the store room, I heard Reth murmur, “I hope you don’t realize that I’m a big mistake.”

I stopped in my tracks and quickly turned around. I managed to stop the door from closing with my foot. “Take that back sir.”

“Uh, you heard me? I—”

My hands closed around the lapels of Reth’s shirt and I pulled him to me. “I said, take that back, before I kiss those feelings right out of you. You are not a mistake. I love you Reth.”

“I uh—”

“You’re gonna be difficult? Fine.” I said, as I kissed him passionately. I heard the creaking of the stairs, and I realized my foot was still jamming the door open. I looked out the corner of my eyes, my lips not even daring to leave Reth’s. Fuck it if Ashura caught us, I wasn’t leaving Reth until I knew for sure without a doubt in his mind that I loved him.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting this.” Ashura said, as he stood at the base of the steps.

I pulled my lips away from Reth’s and we both were a deep shade of purple now. “Sorry Ashura, I’m going to need him for a couple more minutes, if you don’t mind.”

“Yeah-uh, I got the customers, hurry it up you two.” Ashura said, as he gave out a laugh of disbelief. “Damn horny young people.” I heard Ashura mutter under his breath.

I let the door go, and it slammed closed. Reth immediately ripped my hands off his shirt. “You just got me in big trouble. What were you thinking?”

“You got yourself in trouble, spouting shit about our relationship being a big mistake. If you hadn’t said that I wouldn’t have had to do what I just did. Ashura already knows about us, so don’t even worry about him.”

“He knows?”

“Duh?”

“You love me?

“Again duh? It actually felt freeing to say that. I’ve been wanting to say that for a while.”

“I need to get upstairs; I also need to come up with ideas on how to punish you.”

“Punish me? For what? I did you a favor…”

“That’s for me to know, and you to find out. I’ll see you later.” Reth said, and it was clear I had pissed him off with my stunt. I let out a breath, and walked out of the Inn and made my way over to Mirror Pond.

When I arrived, Jina appeared to be in a defunct mood, and I frowned. “Hekla tells me you aren't doing well.” She then glared up at me and got up off her knees before throwing the brush she had been holding against one of ruin pillars and it ricocheted off and hit my foot gently. I bent down and picked it up.

Jina lost her temper on me after that. “Uh!!! Hekla needs to learn that sometimes it's okay to be upset. And that there's not always a way to fix it! Sometimes the world is dumb and makes no sense! There are no solutions, only problems!”

I offered the brush to her, and she crossed her arms over her chest so I just set it down somewhere safe. “What happened? You look like you want to be left alone. I came here upon Hekla’s urging.”

“Good observation! Hell, maybe the Bahari Institute will notice how observant you are and make you a scholar. They certainly won't make me one!” Jina yelled as she walked past me.

“Jina, come on, let me at least try to make it better…”

She just waved me off dismissively before she walked into the library. I frowned. Hekla saw the whole thing and approached me.

“Did she tell you what happened?”

“I guess the Institute won’t make her a scholar, they’re out of their collective minds, Jina is the smartest majiri woman I know.”

“Hmmm...I have recorded the recipe for her favorite mushroom-based liquid meal. Would you mind melting the ingredients together over your food heating device? I am afraid the campfire is an inefficient method of preparing such culinary delights.”

“Sure.” I said, “Where’s the recipe?”

“It’s inside my tent, please learn it and come back with it. It will surely cheer her up and she will be more open to communicate with you.”

“Say no more. I’m on it.” I said, as I walked into Hekla’s tent and found the recipe. I memorized the recipe and went straight to my plot only to find Hodari waiting for me on my couch in my living room.

“Hodari? What’s up? I hope you weren’t waiting long. I’m sorry…”

“Got time?”

“Well right now’s not the best time…”

“Gonna have to impose even if you don't. It's about Najuma.”

“Come sit in the dining room, I need to make cream of mushroom soup for Jina, you can talk to me while I do that.” I said, as I gathered some mountain morels, an onion, a clove of garlic, a bundle of spice sprouts, cream and flour and set them on my counter before starting up my stove and setting a soup pot on the flame before I drizzled some oil in. “Is Najuma okay?” I asked, as I set to the task of chopping the garlic, onions, and spice sprouts while I was waiting for the pot to heat up. Meanwhile, Hodari moved himself to sit at my dining room table, which was just right off the kitchen.

“I honestly don't know. This time she's gone too far.” Hodari said and I could feel his eyes on me, as I finished chopping the onion and garlic before starting on the spice sprouts. “Last night, a pile of dynamite went missin' from the storage shed. Only me an' Najuma have keys for it. I thought she could handle the responsibility, but...takin' a box of explosives? What is she THINKIN'?I” Hodari said, as he hit the butt of his hand against my table. I started making a simple bread dough for the baguette was I supposed to serve for the soup but paused and looked at Hodari. We made eye contact.

“Where is she now?”

“I don't rightly know. After I tried to talk to her, she stormed off. She's refusin' to talk. I'd break her damn door down, but... I know that'd only make things worse.”

I dumped the spice sprouts, garlic, and onions into the pot, before getting to work on chopping the mushrooms. “Well don’t do that. That’s a bit extreme, but I don’t think she would take the dynamite Hodari, that doesn’t sound like her. If she wanted dynamite, she could just make her own. She makes fireworks doesn’t she?”

Hodari just glazed over my question. “Look, I know I ain't the father she wants...but I'm the only one she's got. And I won't lose her like we lost Leta. Can you talk to her? Maybe if someone outside all this approaches her, she'll see some sense.”

I then put the mushrooms into the pot and allowed them all to cook down before I turned my attention to kneading the dough for the baguette and setting the oven to the appropriate temperature. “You can count on me Hodari, but I don’t think she took the dynamite.”

“Thanks, Cori, don’t know what I’d do without ya.”

“You probably would’ve nuked your relationship with Najuma from orbit a while ago…”

Hodari smirked, “I have no idea what you jus’ said, but ya, you’re probably right on that one.” He said as he got up but it was like the man had been struck by lightning and clutched his back in pain. “Ah fuck! My back.” I immediately stopped kneading the dough and managed to catch the man, before he injured himself, but in doing so, he ended up on top of me. “Damn it Corinth. Why would ya do that? My back is frozen, I can’t move if I wanted to.”

“I didn’t want you to hit your head. Sorry.”

“You got flour all over your hands too. Fuck, this is not how I imagined I’d end up on top of ya.”

“Really Hodari? I just saved you from taking the brunt of the fall and all you have to say is something perverted?” I let out a breath. “Just tell me where your back is frozen, and I’ll see if I can get the knots out. I’m probably going to end up burning my soup."

“It starts from my midback and ends right above my tailbone.”

“Okay,” I said, as I started rubbing his back, my fingers exploring the rock-hard muscles that lay underneath the fabric of his shirt. His muscles were completely locked up. I used my thumbs and firm pressure to start unlocking his muscles and working out the knots.

My soup did end up burning, but it was fine. I did end up unlocking Hodari’s back and he quickly got off me as soon as he could. “Sorry ‘bout that. I’m gonna get outta your hair and let you cook your soup.”

He took off like a bat out of hell. Meanwhile, I pulled the now scorched pan off the stove and put it in the sink before running water in it. A puff of steam rose off the pot as I shook my head. I finally did finish the soup and I left to give it to Jina, and hopefully put a smile on her face.

Chapter Text

I found Jina crying while sorting through the books in the library. I frowned and prayed to Embra that Hekla was right about this soup cheering her up. “Hey Jina.”

Jina looked up at me and quickly wiped her eyes. “Corinth. What are you doing here?”

“I have something for you, hopefully, it’ll lift your spirits,” I said, as I took off my backpack and pulled out a pot of cream of mushroom. It was still pretty warm. Jina looked at me, got up from her chair, and glanced into the pot. “Is that? Cream of Mushroom soup? That’s my favorite! How’d you know?

I made eye contact with the woman. “Really? We had this after our first kiss, I know it’s your favorite. Hekla let me use her recipe.”

“Hekla was sweet for that. She’s trying to cheer me up. Even if it involves recruiting every Human in the village to her aid. To be honest, it's a little embarrassing.”

“Hey, Hekla really cares about you. She might be a bit overbearing at times, but she looks out for you. She needed my help to make the soup, and I have done just that. Speaking of which, I brought some bowls and spoons. We should eat this while it’s still hot.”

“I appreciate you,” Jina said as she wrapped her arms around me as I started ladling the soup into the bowls. I handed Jina a bowl and spoon and did the same for myself. We sat in silence, the only sound we made was the slurping of soup. Jina helped herself for seconds before she was done. “That was delicious.”

“Good, it was made with love.”

“Mm. I can tell.” Jina said, her eyes had a seductive glint in them. I bit my lip as I stacked her bowl inside of mine and set the spoons inside them. “Ooh, speaking of love, I think I might have found something of interest to you.” Jina said, as she got up, but I grabbed her hand, and she stopped and looked at me.

“Jina, what did the Institute say? Why won’t they make you a full scholar?” I asked, looking at him and she let out a heavy breath before she plunked herself down beside me again.

“The Bahari Institute doesn't think I'm ready to become a full scholar yet. They said finding the library was more about happenstance than innovation. They want me to make a unique insight...not just a unique discovery that anybody at the right place at the right time could make. To me, it just sounds like a bunch of excuses.”

“It does to me too, but we’ll come up with something. I can help you if you want. You don’t even have to give me credit.”

“I couldn’t do that Corinth. Well, I'm not going to do that. Honestly, I've been thinking of giving this whole scholar thing up. The other apprentices always said the only reason I got into the Institute was because of who my dad is. Maybe they were right.”

“Who is your father?”

“He's on the board of directors, honestly one of the brightest minds in the Institute. A lot of the apprentices think of me as a nepo-baby. When that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“Jina I know you work hard, and you study hard. Perhaps I can help you think of a new topic.”

"You know...there are a lot of ruins over in Bahari. If you see something over there that might make a good thesis, let me know.”

“I will, but you had something that might interest me?”

“Oh yes, the books,” Jina said as she got up and quickly grabbed the books before bringing them over to me. “I brought these to Hekla to translate, and she told me you would be better equipped to do it as her rune working wasn’t computing what the text was describing. She said there was something about double penetration and golden showers.”

“Golden showers? Double penetration? What in the world?” I said as I grabbed the books. I picked up the first book and began thumbing through the pages. I could read everything plain as day and my face flushed, then I could read sexually explicit writing. “Jina! Th-This is smut, pornography in text form.”

“Smut? Pornography? What are those?”

“It’s sexually explicit writing. Listen, I’ll read a little bit of it. Richard grabbed Meredith’s hips as he gently eased himself inside of her wet velveteen depths. Meredith tossed her head back, savoring the moment of entry. There are pages of this littered throughout the book, and from what I can tell, it’s a monogamous love story.” I said, as I picked up the other book, and that one was even worse. There were threesomes, and orgies depicted in great detail. One such orgy described one of the participants begging for the others to urinate on him. Not my cup of tea, but creative on the author’s part.

“That’s the one with the mentions of the golden shower, and double penetration…is that what I think it means?” Jina asked, blushing deeply. I nodded.

“Yep, one woman, and two men with their erect penises in her vagina and asshole. There are other things in there too like orgies, which is sex with four or more partners at once.”

“What is this golden shower Hekla mentioned and was confused by?” Jina asked, and I shook my head at her.

“Jina, you don’t want to know.”

“If I’m to understand the texts though, you’re going to have to tell me, no matter how gross it might be.”

“This is beyond gross though, but I’m going to give you a chance. What bodily function happens to be gold when expelled?”

“Urine…oh my Dragon! Is that the act of urinating on someone?”

“Yep and deriving sexual pleasure from it.”

Jina’s face contorted into a disgusted grimace. “Oh my—I think I might be sick.”

I smirked at her. “You wanted to know.”

“How can humans be so deranged?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. You don’t mind if I take these books and read them do you?”

“Only if you come back and read some of the text to me. My curiosity is piqued.”

“Mine too, but I should probably head out, I need to be home in case Reth decides to stop by.”

“How far in your relationships have you gotten?” Jina asked, looking at me. I cocked my head to the side and raised my eyebrow.

“Like physically?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’m still a virgin if that’s what you’re asking, but I’ve gotten the furthest with Hassian and Jel actually.”

“Jel? Interesting. You and Reth seemed pretty hot and heavy, what happened?”

“He’s been busy, we’re supposed to figure out a day to meet up, but it just hasn’t happened, besides, Jel or Reth don’t want to move forward until Hassian consummates the relationship. That’s what Hassian has told me.”

“And he hasn’t yet.” Jina deduced, as she began gathering my pot, bowls, spoons, and the two books of human erotica together. I nodded as I got up onto my feet and packed away the dirty dishes into my backpack. Jina then got up and grasped my hand in hers. “I know I probably won’t see you until this weekend when I see you at the Inn, I have a feeling it’s going to be a big week for you. Return to me when you’re not so busy.” Jina said, as she leaned forward and kissed my lips. I deepened the kiss, relishing in the moment of love and brief pleasure the kiss gave me before I pulled away.

“I’ll see you Friday then.” I said, as I slipped out into late afternoon sun.

I made my way to my plot and checked my mail. I hadn’t had a proper chance to check it yet. There were only two letters today. Strange, usually I had three or four letters.

There was a letter from Sifuu so I opened the first one immediately.

Dear Corinth,

So...I finished my book, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think it's even better than before. Come by my room and read it when you have the time. Oh yeah, here's the key. If you hear Tau barking, don't worry, it's just Tau's way of saying hello.

I smiled before taking the key that Sifuu gave me and put it with the other keys I had for Jel, Reth, and Hassian.

The last letter was from Jel.

Dear Cori,

Is it true you were the one to suggest Kenyatta as my protegee? I have to tell you she is as ill-equipped for the role as any I have ever seen. When I tried to teach her to sew, she told me she's really more of a "big picture person" and prefers to have the others do the menial labor. Since she arrived my days have become as much of a waking nightmare as my nights. Help!

Oh no, Kenyatta, what did you do to poor Jel? Sheesh.

I figured I’d check in with Kenyatta and she how everything was going with finding her Path, before checking in with the other villagers. I checked the time, it was a little before five, so I decided to just wait for Auni to come by with the next set of mail. In the meantime, I made Auni a wooden sword, I just used two planks I had lying around, and by the time I put the finishing touches on it, Auni was running up to my plot.

“Corinth! You’re actually here! I have a few letters for you. Sifuu, Hassian, and Reth this time. I’ll see ya—”

“Wait, Auni! I have something for you!” I said as I handed him the wooden sword and Auni’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as he grabbed the sword from me and did some moves with it, swinging it back and forth.

“Corinth! I’m so excited! I’m going to go straight home and challenge Nai'o to a duel, thank you!” Auni said, as he took off from my plot. I went to grab the mail.

I ripped open Reth’s note first.

Hey Babe,

I won’t be able to see you tonight, Zeki gave me extra shipments tonight, but come see me on Thursday after you’re done with your dinner with the Daiyas in the storeroom. I promise I’ll make it worth your while, please?

I frowned, damn it. I was hoping to see his face tonight. I then opened Sifuu’s letter.

Dear Cori,

We need to talk. Come talk to me at the Inn.

That didn’t sound good. I frowned.

My Huntress,

Have you done anything about the flyers for the chapaa hunt. That’s happening soon and I need those flyers back soon. I look forward to seeing you.

Oh fuck! I knew what I was going to be doing tonight. How was I supposed to get all of this done?

Fuck it, no better time than the present.

I found Hassian’s flyer, I figured I would find Zeki and hand him Hassian’s flyer, then talk to Sifuu and figure out what she needed, before tracking down Kenyatta. My legs were starting to burn. It had been several days since I last had sleep, my body was slowly becoming exhausted, but I could stay up if I wanted to.

I left out of my gate and ran to the Inn where Zeki was standing with a mug of ale. “Corinth! How’s it going kiddo? You and Reth doing good? I gave him--”

“I don’t really have time to talk Zeki, I haven’t seen him since this morning and he was pissed at me when I last saw him, anyway I have a favor to ask of you.”

Zeki raised his eyebrow at me. He looked annoyed. “You okay kid? You look out of breath? What’s this favor you wanted of me?”

“I think all my sleepless nights are catching up with me, but I have this flyer that Hassian gave me for a chapaa hunt, if you could be so kind as to redesign it for me and make a few copies of it. That’d be great. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to get it.”

Zeki swiftly pulled the flyer out of my hand, and in the process, he gave me paper cut. I let out a hiss of pain and pulled the injured finger to my mouth. “Oops, sorry.” Zeki apologized, as his eyes glazed over the flyer. “Oh, this’ll be a piece of cake. Go get whatever you need next done then come back and see me. I’ll have it knocked out with two flicks of a grimalkin’s tail.”

“Thank you.” I said and I was about to turn on my heel and leave, but I felt Zeki’s paw wrap around the extra fabric that hung off my sleeve and I was pulled nearly off balance as he pulled me out onto the back porch so we could have privacy.

Zeki then let go of me. “Squat so I can whisper at ya.”

I did as he asked and squatted down to his level. “Figured you’d appreciate knowin’ but I think Reth has something up his sleeve for you. I gave him Thursday night off, that’s why he couldn’t see you tonight, he’s doing double duty the next two nights.”

“Zeki you really shouldn’t work him to the bone like that though.”

“Hey, he offered. He’s been dying for a chance to get you alone, has he given you his pin yet?”

“No. Not yet.” I said, frowning. Zeki looked at me confused.

“That doesn’t make any sense. He’s been acting like such a lovesick puppy lately it’s nauseatin’. You two still haven’t you know…” Zeki then stuck his pointer through a hole he made with his other hand a few times. I understood perfectly well what that meant.

“Zeki!”

“I’ll take that as a no. Let me talk to the boy and see if I can pull his head out of his ass for you. It ain’t no courtship if there ain’t no sex, that’s the best part right there…am I right?”

“Well, it would be nice, I haven’t taken that step with anyone just yet.”

Zeki looked at me shocked again. “Are you serious? Not Hassian? Or Jel? Or Jina?” I was honestly getting annoyed now. How Zeki knew about Jel or Jina was beyond me.

“I don’t see why my sex life, or lack thereof is any of your business Zeki…”

He then let out a laugh before his eyes looked me over like he was surveying a juicy catfish. “Reth said the same thing that night he got you your toiletry box. I told him you’re too young for me, but if he ain’t gonna man up and you need some good lovin…”

I shot back up to a standing position and shook my head. “No thanks Zeki, bestiality’s not my thing.” I felt my face flush in disbelief at Zeki’s proposition. Zeki looked shocked at first before it was replaced by a look of anger.

Zeki glared at me. “That’s not what I meant. Fuck—If you had let me finish what I saying, I would’ve said, I have a variety of tools at my disposal that can help you out in that department, and no, Corinth, you are hot for a human, but I’m not into cross-species relationships just like you’re not into bestiality, or whatever you said. I don’t want anything to do with you in that aspect. You really need to let people finish their sentences.”

“Tools? Like that?”

“Things you can use for your pleasure. Tools that mimic the act,”

“I think I’m good Zeki, thanks though, I’ll keep that in mind.” I said, and by now my face was burning with embarrassment. “Sorry.”

“That conversation was a lot more awkward than it needed to be. But I’ll have this flyer done quickly. Check back with me in an hour or two.”

“Will do.” I said, before I made a beeline over to Sifuu eager to get out of that awkward conversation with Zeki. The woman looked at me.

“Corinth! Just the woman I wanted to see! Want anything to drink?”

“No thanks, not tonight, where’s Hassian? He’s usually here with you?”

“Yeah, I’ll get into that, let’s sit though,” Sifuu said as she pulled out a chair for me. The moment I sat down, Ashura came over to us.

“Another pint Sifuu? Can I get you anything Corinth?”

“Just a glass of iced sweetleaf tea please,” I said, looking up at Ashura who nodded and went to get the requested beverages.

“Anyway, while Ashura is gone, I have good news! Caleri decided to carry my memoir under the fiction section because of the whole confusion about the Gorgon Ape, but still! I couldn’t have done that without you.”

Just then Ashura came back with our drinks and set them down in front of us. “If there’s anything thing else you two need, let me know.”

“Thank you Ashura,” I said, as I grabbed my glass and took a languished drink before addressing Sifuu. “There’s a ‘but’ in there though. What happened?”

“You’re right, unfortunately, Hassian's, uh, just a little peeved by the whole thing. I was wondering if you could talk to him for me. Some things sound better coming from someone who isn't your mom, ya know?”

“Yeah, I’ll talk to him, I’m going to give him some time to cool off first. If there’s any material you need you might want to write it down. I can look for them while I’m out and about.” I said, taking out my notebook and a pen from my backpack and handing them to Sifuu who simply wrote five flow wood planks, ten silk threads on a blank sheet in my notebook. Flow planks? How was I going to get those? I looked over at Ashura, he’d know, right?

“Let me know when you’ve talked to my boy. I hate being one to upset him.”

“I will.” I said as I quickly finished my glass of tea and got up from the table. I set the empty on the bar before walking over to Ashura. “Hey Ashura, do you have any idea how I would be able to get my hands on flow wood and make planks from it?”

“I’d sell ya the recipe, but your skill isn’t quite high enough yet. Flow wood is a volatile material. If you see any tree with a glowing purple trunk, that’s a tree absorbing the flow from underground.”

“Oh, yeah, Lars said that there were networks of flow under the ground and that the majiri tapped into that to power their lights and appliances in the city. What type of trees will my axe be able to handle?”

“Medium heartwood trees if they have flow in them. Anything larger and the bark will resist being cut by your axe.” I nodded and in doing so, noticed the picture of Ashura as a younger man with his arm around a young, beautiful majiri woman. Out of all the times I had been to the Inn this was the first time I had seen this particular picture.

“Who’s that woman with you in that picture above your desk? Was that Sabine?” I asked pointing to the picture above his head. Ashura turned around to glance at the picture.

“Ah, yes, it is. She’s a beauty isn’t she?”

“She really is. I would’ve loved to meet her.”

“I miss seeing that beautiful face every morning more than I can express. Unfortunately, she passed through the veil a couple of years back. I think I told you this, was it you I told?”

I nodded. “Yeah my first time to the bay over apple cider and bread with spiced honey butter.”

“Oh,” Ashura said, turning around with a smile on his face. “I remember now. Anyway, we opened the Inn together. Sometimes it's hard to go on without her. But, I manage. One day at a time. Like we all do I suppose. I usually bring Sundrop Lillies to her remembrance site around this time. But I haven't been able to spot any. I guess my old eyes aren't what they used to be.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for them Ashura.” I said as I turned on my heel. “I’ll see ya around.” I said, looking up at the man before taking off. I knew Kenyatta was going to be outside of Central Stables waiting for Nai’o so I headed her way.

“Hey girl! What’s up?”

“Oh my dragon, why did you sound so cool saying that? I gotta work on my greetings.” Kenyatta said rolling her eyes at herself before she looked over me. “Anyway, what’s up?”

“So, Jel sent me a letter…about that path girl…”

She let out of nervous laugh, “Yeah, no. Me and clothing just don't mix. Jel tried to explain the difference between chenille and chiffon and I almost fell asleep standing. Then I couldn't even get the stupid needle threaded…”

“Oh, well, maybe you could try cooking…I mean you did say you liked Reth…”

“Nah, I don't think that stuff's really for me. I was thinking maybe I'd try mining instead. Najuma gets to play with explosives all day, and she seems to like it. Plus, and you didn't hear this from me, but Hodari's, like, really hot.”

I let out a laugh, “Hey, seems like a good enough reason to me!” I said, looking at Kenyatta who too, let out a laugh. My mind then went to earlier that day, when Hodari landed on top of me, and I blushed.

“I knew we'd see eye to eye on this one. I just need to convince the Pavels to teach me. They won't take me seriously if I don't already have my own pick. You think you can get me some materials to make one?” Kenyatta asked before she handed over a list written on parchment. One iron bar, and five heartwood planks is what I needed. Seemed easy enough to make. I think I actually had all the supplies at my house.

“Okay, give me a bit of time to run back to my house and get you the materials you’ll need to make your pickaxe. I’ll need to check in with Zeki really quick before we can head out to Bahari Bay.”

“You don’t need to come with me. I’m a big girl, I can handle myself.” Kenyatta said, as a seductive glint sparkled in her eye. “But I’ll let you get the materials, I’ll be here waiting unless Nai’o shows up.”

“Okay sounds good, I’ll be right back.” I said, as I turned on my heel and ran to my house to grab the planks and the iron needed before running back. Kenyatta was still there, waiting patiently.

“Here.” I said, as I handed over the materials. Kenyatta balanced the iron bar in her hand.

“Is iron supposed to be this heavy?” I nodded. “Oh, anyways, thanks, Cori. I'll let you know how it goes! I’m gonna pop in and get this pickaxe made in Sifuu’s shop, surely she won’t mind.” Kenyatta said as she walked away and began heading over to Sifuu’s blacksmith shop.

I watched her a moment before I decided to check back in with Zeki. “Hey Zeki! Did you make any progress on that flyer yet?”

“Oh man, this was PRICELESS! I ain't never seen anything I liked more in my life. Thank you for this. I'll treasure it always. Ahh, didn't know Hassian was such a joker.” Zeki said, as he busted out laughing. I frowned.

“Okay, but, did you redesign it?”

“Oh yeah, of course kiddo, I’ll have to charge a nominal fee, however?” I pulled out my coin pouch but Zeki put a paw over my hand to stop me. “Not your problem, my weird furless pal. I'll send the bill to Hassian myself. Now, lemme just whip a little somethin' up... fix those kerns... hmmmm. Aaand done. Impressive, ain't I? There's a reason I've got the most successful store in Kilima, an' it's not just because I've got a monopoly on it! Anywho, here ya go pal. Maybe I'll stop by that hunt, see what's happenin'.” Zeki said, as he handed over the redesigned flyer.

“Thanks Zeki! I’ll get this to Hassian soon.” I said, as I put the flyer into my backpack and waved at Zeki before taking off toward Bahari Bay.

Once in Bahari Bay I decided it would be a good time to see what Najuma was up to. I found her working in the workshop.

“Hey Najuma, how’s it going?”

“Oh, Corinth, s-sorry, I'm not really in the mood to talk right now.”

“Your dad sent me.” I said, looking down at the girl whose face was contorted into one of anger.

“Ugh, not you too. I already told him; I didn't take the dynamite! What use would I have for it, anyways? I can make my own explosives any time I want!”

“I know I told him that too, my question is, where did the dynamite go, if you didn’t take it?”

“Someone else took it. Or something else.”

“You mean the ghost, don’t you?”

“Exactly! It's the only thing that makes sense. Only Dad and I have a key to the storage shed, and we lock up the explosives at the end of the day. There were no signs of a break-in. That only leaves one choice. But the only thing that will convince my dad is cold hard proof. He's mad at me... but if you find the dynamite and bring it to him, maybe he'll listen. If the ghost actually took it, I bet you'll find the missing dynamite somewhere in the mines.”

“Where do you suppose I look?”

“East of the Outskirts is the northern mine shaft. That where—” Najuma was fighting back tears. “That’s where we lock up the dynamite. Perhaps there’s some clues around there as to where it’s gone. I would go, but…” I was able to deduce that the Northern mineshaft was a touchy subject.

“Say no more Najuma, I’ll go and see what I can figure out.”

“Thank you.” Najuma said as she looked up at me before wiping her tears away. I handed Najuma a handkerchief before I bid my goodbye to the girl before heading out. The sun was beginning to set and let out a breath. I knew Hassian wouldn’t be back at his grove until much later, so I figured I’d try to find the northern mine shaft and do some investigating.

I decided just to walk to the location where Najuma said the mineshaft was, which did take some time to find, but eventually I happened upon it.

There was a box that said Dynamite but when I opened it, there was nothing to be found. I then saw the door to the mineshaft, it was locked with a sign on it that said, "Closed by order of the Mayor!". I looked at the sign curiously. Why was this mineshaft shut down? Is there where the—oh my. The realization hit me. This was where the mine collapse happened. The one that maimed Najuma and killed her mother.

That explained Najuma’s tears, and my heart ached. I needed to find where the dynamite went. I ran to the Outskirts teleport and quickly teleported to the Central Stables in Kilima. I knew Kenli was at his estate which wasn’t far at all from the teleport so I ran right there. I found him sitting at his desk in his study.

“Kenli! Good Evening! Sorry to bother you but I need a key to the Northern Mineshaft.”

“Oh my goodness! Corinth! Why would you need something like that? It's quite dangerous in there, you know! Ever since…”

“Kenli, this is kind of an emergency, I’m trying to find some missing dynamite…”

“Dynamite has gone missing? But who would take it? O-oh dear... Eshe won't be happy to hear this...but I suppose you've proven yourself in the mines already, though. Very well, you can have a key. Just, er, don't tell anyone I gave it to you, alright? And be careful, please!” Kenli said as he handed over the key to the mineshaft. I nodded at the man, and pulled my fingers around the key and looked down at it inside my hand. Kenli could sense my hesitation.

“I’m not going to find Leta’s body there, am I?” I breathed out, and I had tears in my eyes. This situation was hitting a bit too close to home for me.

“Oh no, I shut down the mineshaft after Hodari was able to clear her body out of there. That was an incredibly sad day for us here in Kilima. I sent Najuma to Bahari City with Chayne, but too much time had passed. She ended up losing her leg, lack of blood flow for an extended amount of time, that kind of thing. Leta and Najuma were in that mine for nearly sixteen hours before Hodari found them. He thought they were elsewhere in the mines closest to their house. The man still blames himself to his day for not finding them sooner.”

“I feel like this is reopening old wounds,” I said, looking at Kenli who frowned, and I knew he wasn’t emotionally inept to deal with this situation. Let alone give me words of advice or comfort. The man had enough on his plate. “You are the only one who had this key, correct? Hodari, or Najuma haven’t requested a copy?”

“That is the only copy. I wanted to make sure nobody made the unfortunate mistake of stepping into that mineshaft again. We like having you here, so please, keep your time there to a minimum.”

“I should go find that missing dynamite.” I cleared my throat and wiped my tears. I turned on my heel and ran straight to the teleport.

I arrived at the mine a short while later and used the key to open the door. Sure, enough there was the missing dynamite. A whole box worth of it. I quickly put it inside my backpack and exited the mines. If I didn’t believe in ghosts before, I certainly do now. Kenli was the only one who had this key and neither Hodari nor Najuma had a copy, not they’d want it after what transpired. So, something had to have planted it there.

I ran all the way to the outskirts and teleported to hideaway bluffs before making my way to Hodari’s house. By now, the two moons were high up in the sky. As I approached I could smell meat being grilled.

From what I could see Hodari was grilling steak by himself. I glanced into the workshop as I walked past it, and didn’t find Najuma there, and she hadn’t come out for dinner either. I approached the man, and he looked at me, his eyes scanning me as he did so.

“Corinth…”

“Hodari…I have something that belongs to you.” I said as I pulled off my backpack, took out the dynamite, and set it down on the picnic table. “I found this, inside the locked mineshaft by the outskirts. I had to get the key from Kenli. I’m sorry Hodari. I’m sorry for your loss, I’m sorry for what happened to Najuma, and just know, none of it was your fault.”

There was a pregnant pause, as he processed what I said as he stared at the dynamite. I waited for him patiently and eventually he opened his mouth to talk.

“That place has been sealed off since...well, there's no way Najuma got a key.”

“Yeah I asked Kenli, and I guess he was the only one with the key.”

Hodari bit his lip in contemplation, and self-loathing. “And there's no way she'd go back there even if she did...I'd better go talk to Najuma.” Hodari said as he took his steak off the grill and placed it on the plate before handing it to me. “Here, take this steak with ya. Thanks for openin' my eyes on how stubborn I've been. I ain't that close with most folks, but...you're alright, Cori.”

“Go talk to Najuma and apologize. I have a feeling something is haunting the mines, that’s the only way I can explain the dynamite being in a locked mineshaft where only one person had the key and I’m sure Kenli wouldn’t want anything to do with that dynamite.”

Hodari stood there listening before he made eye contact and nodded. “I won’t forget this Corinth. Here, feel free to stop by tomorrow.” He said as he dropped the key to his bedroom in my hand before turning on his heel and walked into his house. I let out a breath before I packed the steak dinner before I figured it would be good to go check in with Hassian.

I ran over to Hassian’s Grove and used my key to enter. I still had the key, which I grabbed that morning when I went to grab breakfast so I wouldn’t disturb Hassian, and the man hadn’t asked for it back. He glanced over as soon as the door opened, and I found him stoking the fire. He raised an eyebrow at me.

“Can’t get enough of me?” Hassian asked, as he stood up to meet me.

I smirked. “What can I say, your mouth does amazing things…” I said, my eyes sliding down his physique. Hassian blushed, “…but I came back to give you this, and to pick your brain about what made you angry about your mother’s book.” I said as I pulled off my backpack and pulled out the flyer Zeki had remade.

“Oh this, this I suppose will do. Ahem. Thank you. For helping me.”

“It’s okay to say thank you. It’s not that difficult.”

“I have been making my plan of attack. If we can recruit enough people to our side, we may be able to make a significant dent in the chapaa's destructive numbers. I'll place these posters in visible areas of the village. Hopefully the reward for the hunt will be enticing enough. I'd better get back to planning...stop by later if you'd like.”

“Hassian, about your mother. Why are you mad about your mom's book? I poured so much time and energy making sure everything was good with it.”

Hassian tucked the poster into his bag before he turned around to flash me a look of anger. “She shouldn't be involving you in that. I think she's trying to take advantage of our...relationship, and of you and your talent.”

“Aren’t you happy to see me again?”

“I’m always happy to see you, but I don't mean to be rude, I know you're only trying your best, but this argument is between me and my mother. She had no business involving you in her book venture.”

“She’s worked so hard on it though…” I said, frowning. I sat down on a log next to the fire.

“It doesn't matter how long she worked on it 'cause let’s be honest you did the majority of the work on it. It was disrespectful.”

“In what way Hassian? It was never my intention to disrespect you or your memory of your mother Taylin. This will go faster if you just tell me why you're upset. You know you can be honest with me.”

“You’re right. Fine, I'll tell you...” Hassian said as he sat on a log adjacent to me. “Mother lied about how she met momma. Just to make her life sound more adventurous!”

“Oh, I see. How’d they meet then? If it wasn’t hunting Gorgon Apes.”

Hassian let out a snort of amusement. “They always knew each other, since they were kids. Mother and momma grew up in the same village. They were hunting partners and best friends before they married. Their love was built on mutual respect. Not on...carnal longing...or however mother wants to portray it.”

“I get why that hurt Hassian. You and I…we built our relationship how I think how Sifuu wishes she had with Taylin.”

There was a seductive glint in Hassian’s eye as he nodded. “That’s why I said she’s taking advantage of our relationship. Mother and I have always...struggled to be close, but things with momma were different. She taught me how to hunt. She knew the value of sometimes just being quiet instead of always having to talk. I always knew I could rely on her. Until...” Hassian let out a deep breath. This was a hard topic for him, I was there, ready to listen.

“Until what Hassian?”

“My mothers were bounty hunters. They were assigned to kill a monster that was threatening a nearby village. The entire village they were sworn to protect ended up dead. The monster momma claimed to have killed was spotted leaving the site. Our people said she lied about killing the monster to get the reward. Momma said the monster died and then somehow regenerated itself. My mother stood by her and we were kicked out of the village as a result.” I reached over put a hand on Hassian’s shoulder. “But words of her actions spread and no other village would take momma. So, she went to clear her name by killing the beast. She did not come back.”

“Oh Hassian.” I frowned, looking at the man who had tears threatening to spill.

“I don't know what to think. On one hand, I understand why she wanted to clear her name. She was an honorable woman. I would have done the same. On the other hand. It's hard to accept that she had to get herself killed to do it.”

“Desperate people do desperate things. Most people usually do end up dead especially when their plans made in desperation don’t pan out.” I said, looking at Hassian. He stared into the fire.

“Hey, your mother gave me a list of items, do you have any idea what they’re used for?” I asked handing over the list that Sifuu gave me. He glanced at the list before handing it back to me.

“Those are ingredients used for my momma’s bow.”

“Look, I think you and Sifuu need to talk about Taylin’s passing together. I know you might feel like Sifuu is emotionally unavailable, but I think you’ll find that she just wants to understand you. Be it today or tomorrow.”

Hassian nodded. “You’re probably right. Flow wood should be pretty easy to see in the dark. It glows purple. What axe do you have?”

“A standard woodaxe.”

“Yes, that should help you. But, you’ll probably want to chop down quite a few heartwood trees in between the flow, so I’ll leave you to it. I’ll send for you once I’ve talked things over with mother.”

I looked at Hassian and leaned over to touch my lips to his. A fire ignited inside of me, a deep desire to be closer to the man in front of me. I really just wanted to show Hassian how much I loved him, that time would have to come later. Hassian moaned into the kiss before he pulled away. “I should probably go.” I said getting up from the log.

“I-I love you Corinth. I will send for you when I have talked to my mother.”

“Sound good, I’ll be here looking for flow wood.”

“I will hopefully see you later. Be safe.”

“I will.” I said as I exited Hassian’s grove. I went around chopping trees, and eventually came across a few flow trees, but it still wasn’t enough flow wood to make planks out of.

I heard a voice carrying in the breeze. As I approached where the voice was coming from I glanced up and could see bright red hair. “Penelope?” I called out.

“Corinth? Hey! There’s a flow grove here! I’ve been trying to bring people’s attention to it. Wanna help me chop it down?” Penelope said, as she peered over the cliff in front of me.

“Yeah, I need flow wood. I’ll climb up.” I said, as I began scaling the cliff in front of me. Penelope helped me up, and we got to work. We each ended up with 27 flow wood logs each. Upon getting the last tree down, I shoved everything in my bag, before I promptly sat on the ground, out of breath and out of focus.

“Corinth! Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just feel drained of focus.” I said as I took out the steak dinner Hodari gave to me earlier as well as some silverware I made. We sat on the cliff overlooking Pulsewater Plains. Penelope too, had gotten out a bowl full of food. We ate in silence, until Penelope decided to break the silence.

“Hey, I made some chili oil dumplings, did you want a bowl? Surely that one steak dinner’s not going to do much for your focus.” I was surprised, I hadn’t gotten that recipe yet.

“Sure. If you’re willing to share.”

“Oh yeah, I made a ton of them. Uh, have you been able to sleep since you arrived?” Penelope asked, her eyes meeting mine as she handed me a bowl of chili oil dumplings. I shook my head.

“No, I have to take one of Hodari’s sleeping potions that he gets from Tamala.”

“Huh, I didn’t think about that, who is Tamala?” Penelope asked, as she looked at me.

“She lives in the far northside of Bahari, she should be out by Bahari Central Stables.”

“Oh, I can find her some other time, it’s been a while since we’ve talked, and it feels nice to talk to a fellow human. What was going on the last time we talked? You seemed pretty upset.”

“I just found out some disturbing and upsetting things. Still don’t want to talk about it though. It’s not my place to say anything.”

“Oh, I understand. I’ve seen you getting close to a lot of the Majiri lately. It…it honestly makes me jealous.”

“Jealous?”

“Yeah 'cause you’re all anyone seems to talk about. You’re like the talk of Kilima, you and that golden voice of yours. You seem to have everyone under a spell.” I did notice that Penelope’s gaze turned sultry. I knew that stare, she was undressing me with her eyes.

I let out a laugh as I stabbed into a chili oil dumpling and brought it to my mouth. I quickly chewed my bite before swallowing. “Hardly.” I said, looking at Penelope who was leaning over towards me, I watched her as she puckered her lips. I dropped my fork and put a hand on her shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“I wanted to see what the big deal was?”

“I’m not kissing you.” I said as I let go of her shoulder before turning back to my bowl of dumplings. “You’re nice, and pretty, but, I feel nothing more than friendship, I hope you understand that Penelope. What brought this on?”

“Okay, let’s be friends then.” She said sounding dejected. “I was in Jel’s shop, and he left out his sketchbook. I saw the sketches with you, and Reth. He's got one…perverse imagination. Great artist, but…yeah. He was mortified when he caught me looking at them.” I felt myself flush, knowing that I had seen the very same pornographic drawings. I finished the last dumpling. “What are you doing after this?”

“I need to more heartwood. My stock is getting low, then I’ll need to get the flow wood plank recipe from Ashura.”

“I’m down, if you want the company. Maybe you can tell me what other interesting things about these Majiri.”

“Well I…I haven’t done anything you’ve seen in Jel’s sketchbook.”

“You’ve seen the pictures?”

“Yes. Jel did show me. I was shocked.”

“So have you and him…”

“We’ve fucked around,”

“Like what have you done?”

“Oral sex on me.”

“Oh my, he went down on you? Tell me all about, I've been so curious. Let's go get these trees chopped.”

We cut down trees while I told Penelope about my relationships. She was surprised at how quickly I had gotten close to a lot of the Majiri and envied my relationships. Once I had about a hundred heartwood logs, and the sun was beginning to cast its light upon the horizon we went back Kilima. I saw a field of sundrop lilies. I took a detour and gathered a small bouquet of them. I went to the Inn to talk to Ashura, who promptly greeted me.

“Corinth! Hey! Back again I see.”

“Yeah, I came by for that flow plank recipe.”

“You’re in luck you earned it, hopefully you got 2000 gold…”

“2000 gold?”

“I got you, pay me back when you can.” Penelope said, as she handed over her coin pouch. I quickly got the coins out and handed them to Ashura who gave me the blueprint.

“Thanks Penelope, also Ashura I found some sundrop lilies. What did you want me to do with them?”

“Could you give them to Sabine? You should be able to find her remembrance pillar in the Remembrance Garden across from the main shrine.”

“Yeah I can.” I said, as turned to Penelope. “I can get this one myself. I’ll catch you later.”

“Sounds good, see ya around Corinth.” Penelope said as she made her way out of the Inn along beside me, but we headed in opposite directions.

I promptly found Sabine’s remembrance pillar and put the bouquet of sundrop lilies there, while paying my respects. I then headed back home to get the flow wood made into planks. Once I had five made, I grabbed my silk thread and went to Sifuu’s blacksmith shop. I pulled up a stool she had in her storage room and waited for her.

She showed up.

“Corinth! Hey!”

“Hey Sifuu, I talked to Hassian last night about your book.”

“Oh,” She said as she fed the smelter more fuel and oxygen. “And did you find out why he's got his knickers in a twist?”

I cleared my throat. “He's mad because you lied.”

She snapped a glare at me and put her hands on her hips. “So I took a few liberties. What's the big deal?!”

“It’s a big deal when Hassian knows how you and Taylin met, but instead you decided to base it on the relationship I have with Hassian. Hassian thinks you’re taking advantage of that, and the fact he truly misses Taylin.”

“Oh,” Sifuu said as she threw a few metal bars into the pot inside the smelter before exhaling harshly. "You’re right, it probably has to do with Taylin...I knew her growing up, I didn't meet her in the Dari jungle. And since she and Hassian were very close, he probably somehow sees that as a betrayal. Since she died we haven't really made time to talk about her. I've wanted to, but I just haven't had the time to hash out my feelings about it.”

“You need to make time Sifuu. I told Hassian to come talk to you today. I hope you are ready to have that conversation, because if Hassian and I are going to get more acquainted with each other, both of you need to work this out.”

“I’ve been pig-headed huh. You know, when Hassian was a boy, he used to always play with Taylin's old bow. I still have it, but it could use a few repairs. Did you get the planks and silk thread?”

“I did, they’re sitting on your bench over there. I’ll catch you around, Sifuu.”

“Wait before you go, I wanna let you know, I'll give Hassian the bow over dinner tonight. I can't tell you how much this means to me that you wanted to help. But I can always try...in fact, I whipped you up a little thank-you gift while I was waiting on the materials.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, here, your own sword, don’t tell Kenli I gave this to you, he doesn’t want me wrecking the cozy vibe this village has by making swords and other weapons.” Sifuu said as she handed me a sword that was attached to a wood plaque.

“Wow, thanks.” I said, as I took the sword out of the holder and held it in my hand. It was heavy. I placed it back in the holder and stuck it in my backpack. “I’ll hang it on the wall in my house.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll see ya around Cori.” Sifuu said as she waved me off. As I rushed out, I nearly collided with Kenyatta, who seemed to be frantically looking for something.

“Kenyatta! Oh my, I’m sorry.”

“Ugh! Crap, where is it?! Corinth! Have you seen a bag around? It's like this big, full of medical supplies?” Kenyatta asked, as she motioned with her hands how big the bag she was referring to was. I shook my head.

“Is everything okay Kenyatta? Did something happen? I literally left Bahari Bay a little over an hour ago.”

“We must have just missed each other. I went to learn from the Pavels. Hodari wasn't so convinced, but Najuma agreed to teach me some stuff. So she showed me how to make a few minor explosives...”

“What happened? Nobody got injured did they?” I asked, I was becoming frantic.

“I just caused a minor landslide. Najuma says it happens all the time! But a sernuk got hurt in the fall. I managed to stabilize it, but I can't find my medical kit! The last time I had it, I was helping Tau with a thorn stuck in his paw, over by the western docks. Could you check over there for me? I'll keep looking around here.”

“Yeah sure thing, I’ll see if I can find it.” I said, as I turned on my heel and ran towards where I knew the boat house was. My eyes immediately fell upon a bag propped against a birch tree. I grabbed it and opened it. Inside were medical supplies, wraps, scissors, ointments, and potions. I quickly grabbed it and made my way back to Kenyatta, she was at Townhall, looking around the desk for her med kit.

“Hey, is this what you were looking for?” I asked as I handed the med kit to her. Her eyes widened recognizing it.

“Yes! You're a lifesaver. Literally. Thanks, Cori. I'll stop by later and tell you how it went.” Kenyatta said as she grabbed the med kit from me and rushed out of town hall. I shrugged and headed back up to my place where there was mail waiting for me. Ashura had given me 100 sapwood and 100 heartwood logs, which I immediately put into my heavy sawmills. I realized that I was running out of space in my storage chest. So I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon reorganizing things, selling things in my sell bin, and giving them away to other humans who needed planks and building materials.

I was in the town square when Eshe approached me. She looked quite cross like something was bothering her. “People around town have told me they have been delighted by your gifts. Helping others and giving presents are how proper Palians express friendship and gratitude. Keep doing what you’re doing Corinth. I hope your day is going well.”

“Oh, it is, I was just clearing out some inventory and figured people would like some spare materials to help them out. How’s everything with you? You seem, well for lack of a better word, frazzled.”

“Apologies for not being as congenial as usual, but...my nephew, Eshelon, is declaring his Path next month. According to tradition, there will be a grand ball commemorating the occasion. My daughter was supposed to wear the Bahari family signet ring that her aunt, that dreadful Duchess, gave her on her name day. Somehow, Kenyatta has lost the pearl. It's terribly shameful to lose something that's been in the family for generations, and I would like to spare us all that humiliation. Besides the heritage society will be sure to have my head if they find out!”

“If a pearl is all you need, I have one on me if you want it, Eshe.”

“For my family signet ring? Excellent. Now my daughter will be spared some embarrassment at her cousin's Path declaration ball. Oh, this one was fresh from the ocean wasn't it? It still has that distinct fishy odor. Well, nevermind that. Take this for your troubles and do what you will with it.” Eshe said as she handed me a pouch full of coins before tucking the pearl into her pocket and walking back to town hall. I didn’t have much else to do.

I didn’t want to see Reth, because I didn’t want to get him in trouble, I did miss him. I knew Tish was busy at her shop, and Jel I knew was busy but figured, I’d pop in and see what the man was up to.

I hopped into Jel’s shop, and the man was hard at work pinning together pieces of fabric onto a mannequin. He glanced up at me, his eyes meeting mine.

“Oh, Corinth. Just who I wanted to see. I have Hassian’s commission ready for you. Please come to my boudoir so we can see how everything fits.” Jel said, as he nodded his head towards the stairs.

“Oh, that’s right, Hassian did say that. Is it a dress?”

“Hm. I guess you’ll just have to see, my muse.”

I raised my eyebrow at the man as I followed him upstairs. When he opened the door there were two mannequins. One had a simple, short-sleeved. hunter green dress, that was a deep V-neck, with a simple a-lined skirt that stopped right below my knee. While on the other mannequin, was a translucent, deep plunge, lace lingerie one piece. I approached the lingerie and noticed it had an open crotch design.

“Um…where’s the gusset? I think what it’s called right?”

Jel turned a deep shade of pink. “Hassian requested that the piece be…easy access.”

This made me flush a deep shade of pink. “Do you want me to put that one on first?”

“Yes, so I can glance it over before I will have you put the dress on over that.”

I looked at Jel. “If this is just your excuse to get me naked Jel, I can oblige.”

“I haven’t pinned you yet, and I promised Hassian I wouldn’t touch you until he’s done so first. If this isn’t enough to convince him, I don’t know what will be.” Jel lamented, “Have you bathed at all?”

My eyes widened, “I haven’t bathed in a couple of days.”

“Go have a bath my dear muse, once we finish up here, you’ll need to head home and check your mail. I have a feeling things are going to happen tonight.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked, making eye contact with Jel, through his rose-tinted glasses.

“I have been privy to some information, but hurry, feel free to use anything you need, get those clothes on, and I will send your old ones back to the mail to you. I will give you a moment to undress and get into the tub, then I will get things set up to where you step into the lingerie first.”

“I don’t know what I should do to prepare myself?”

“Do whatever will make you comfortable, Hassian will undoubtedly love you regardless. I shall give you some privacy, if you hear things moving around while you are in the shower, it is just me.”

“Do you have the time?”

“It’s quarter after two in the afternoon. You will have plenty of time my muse.”

I nodded, as I watched Jel leave his boudoir, leaving me alone in my thoughts. I had wondered what information Jel had. I stripped myself of my clothes and stepped into Jel’s tiny bathroom. There was a Ravenwood toilet, and a bathtub occupying the space.

I ran a hot bath, and while the tub was filling, I inspected the bathroom and found some bath oils, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a seemingly new, never-been-used razor, same as the exfoliating cloth. I stepped into the tub as soon as the tub was half-full.

I sank down into the water and put some heartdrop lily-scented oil in the water. I wanted to take a nap but decided it would be best to scrub my body down, wash my hair, before taking care of the stubble growing all over my body. While I was busy bathing myself, I did hear Jel come back in and move some things around his boudoir.

Once I was adequately clean, and smooth in all the places I felt I should be. I drained the now lukewarm water and rinsed away any soap and hair mess from the tub before wrapping myself in a towel. I stepped out of the tiny bathroom, and immediately came across the mannequin with the lingerie on it in front of one of Jel’s Ravenwood changing shields.

“How was the bath?”

“Relaxing, I wanted to take a nap so bad.”

“I can smell the heartdrop lily oil.” Jel commented. “Good choice. Hassian won’t be able to resist. Although, that makes the temptation all the more difficult for me to resist.”

I pulled the lingerie off the mannequin and dropped my towel, swinging it over the top of the shield. I stepped into the lingerie and began pulling up, onto my body. The lace caressed against my skin. I pulled the straps over my shoulders, it fit me like a glove, just right.

I stepped out from behind the shield and Jel was sitting apprehensively on the bed. His eyes canvassed every inch of my skin, both covered by the lace, and uncovered. “Mon Dragon…Si le sexe était une personne, tu en es la vision même, ma muse.”

I felt heat rush all over my body and settle on my face and ears. “Um…excuse me?”

“If sex was a person, you are the very vision of it, my muse. You are utterly, sex on legs.” Just then, Jel got off the bed, grabbed my hand in his, and walked me to stand in front of his mirror. His fingers then slid underneath the straps of the lingerie and slid down just to the tops of my breasts before pulling them out and doing the same down my shoulder where the straps met the back. “I’m checking the fit, making sure the elastic isn’t bunching up anywhere. I’m also seeing if you are being pinched anywhere, since this is only the third pair of this type of lingerie I’ve made. You’re the only human I’ve made them for. So, there’s that.”

I raised my eyebrow as I felt Jel’s hands glide down the sides of my waist. “W-who have you—”

“Not your information to know, my muse. Part your legs for me?” I parted my legs as I felt Jel’s hands glide over my lower belly before one smoothed over my ass while the other felt the fabric that lay on either side of my labial lips. I sucked in a breath. His fingers turned the fabric, so it was right and adjusted it slightly. His hands there were driving me crazy.

“Jel…” I moaned breathily.

“Your arousal, it smells so sweet. So, intoxicating. But I shall not. I will not give in to this temptation. Everything fits the way it is supposed to. Let’s get the dress on. Also, check in with me later this week, Reth’s commission should be ready for you.”

“Reth commissioned a dress for me as well?”

“Well, again, not exactly a dress.”

“More lingerie?”

“You’ll have to just wait and see won’t you?” Jel said as he smiled at me as he got the dress off the mannequin. “Arms up.”

I pulled my arms up over my head as Jel delicately pulled the dress on over me. The first thing I noticed was the fabric was silky against my skin. The dress again was a perfect fit. “What fabric is this made from?”

“The outer lining is satin I have dyed to a hunter green, the inner lining is taffeta, so you might feel a bit warm, as it’s not the best breathable fabric, but these are what Hassian has chosen for you.” Jel said as his hands smoothed over the fabric. “Please take care with these garments, and if Hassian rips them off of you, I will make sure he pays for any repairs or replacements. You look ravishing my muse.”

I glanced over my reflection in the mirror, I felt pretty in the dress. I wasn’t a huge fan of the crotchless lingerie as I knew I would probably be cold all night.

I looked at Jel, making sure to make eye contact. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. I’ll gather your clothes, get them properly washed, and you’ll have them tonight.”

“Sounds good.” I bit my lip and nodded my head.

“Go, tell Hassian I send my regards.”

“I will, thanks again Jel.” I said, as I grabbed my backpack and left Jel’s shop.

I quickly raced back to my house, and quickly unpacked my bag, and grabbed an extra change of clothes, some of my toiletries, before taking care of my crops. I had some potatoes, and carrots ready to harvest so I set out to do that, careful not to dirty my new clothing.

“Whoa, you sure you should be getting elbow-deep in the dirt in such a sexy dress?” A voice interrupted. I instantly recognized that voice.

I looked up and saw Kenyatta standing over me. “Kenyatta! I wasn’t expecting to see you here?”

“Well, I did say I was going to come over and let you know how things went. I just got back from Bahari Bay. The sernuk's fine. I just gave it a few stitches and a splint to support the leg. Hassian said he'd keep an eye on it until it was ready to walk again. Although, I did see him in town talking to his mom and Chayne. Seemed serious. I know things are getting serious between you and him though, but from how you’re dressed, I’m assuming what he was talking about was you. Girl, I want details…”

“Well, Hassian commissioned Jel to make me this.”

“Come on, give me a show, girl, let me help you up first.”

“My hands are covered…”

“A little dirt never hurt anybody, take my hand.” The moment our hands touched it was like a shock ran right through me. Kenyatta could feel it too. “Damn girl, you are electric.”

“Um. Ditto. Let me wash my hands really quick.”

“Well at least you can keep your plants alive, want me to get the rest of those potatoes out for ya?”

“Sure, if you want. I’ll be right back.”

I went to my kitchen sink and rinsed the dirt off my hands before Kenyatta came in. “There were only a few left. Spin for me, I wanna see your dress!” I did a little spin and Kenyatta’s eyes fell to my chest as she pulled back some of the fabric. “Is that lace lingerie! Girl! Is it crotchless?”

“Kenyatta! I’m not showing you!”

“It is, isn’t it? If Hassian doesn’t fuck you tonight, you come to see me. I’ll happily take that dress off with my teeth…”

I blushed so hard. “Kenyatta!!! You have Nai’o!”

“Speaking of which, he already told me he kissed you. I’m not jealous, but, it did get me more curious about you. Not gonna lie, I kind of want to see what’s underneath that dress of yours…” Kenyatta said as her hands closed on the bottom of my dress. “Come on, we both have the same parts.”

I pulled her hands off the bottom of my dress. “It’s not happening Kenyatta. I like you, but we have all the time in the world.” I waved Kenyatta over to the dining table where she sat down in a huff. “Getting back to the reason why you came to see me, I think you should look into becoming a healer, like Chayne. You seem to know a lot about healing.”

“I mean, a little, I guess. I've always liked animals. I figured if I learned how to help them, it might come in handy. It's just... something I picked up here and there.”

“I mean, don’t sell yourself short here Kenyatta. Why not make that your path? I’m sure Chayne will teach you.”

“...You're right. I like it. And I am good at it. It's kinda embarrassing...I just... like helping out animals. How hard would it be to learn how to do the same with humans? You know? Can’t be much different right?”

I shook my head. “I think you have a knack for it,” I said, waving my hand up towards her to prove my point.

“I guess, I don't really have a reason why not. I'm just kind of used to being told to give up on the things I like. But you're right. I'll go ask Chayne if he'll sponsor me. It's worth a shot.” Kenyatta said, shrugging at me.

“I know Chayne will give you the guidance you need to succeed,” I said as I reached over and grasped Kenyatta's hand. She looked down at my hand and placed her other hand over mine.

“Thanks for believing in me, Cori. I don't think I would've figured all this out without you. Any time you need help, come find me, okay? Speaking of which, I’m sure Hassian will have you busy tonight and tomorrow, but if you’re free, I’ll be in Bahari Bay around Statue Garden and Proudhorn area around 6pm looking for sweet leaf. Come find me and we can hang out.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Kenyatta.” I said as I got up from the table to see Kenyatta. Kenyatta followed my lead but did something I wasn’t expecting. Instead of letting go of my hand, she pulled me forward and kissed me. The kiss was like a lightning bolt igniting every single sense of my being. I pulled Kenyatta into me, I didn’t want to let go of this feeling, not yet. The kiss immediately grew all-consuming and something in my conscious was screaming at me that I needed to pull away.

I was reluctant to do so but did it none-the-less. I pulled away breathless.

“Y-you said tomorrow in Bahari Bay. Right?”

“Y-yes, I—I want more…”

“I’ll see you tomorrow Kenyatta. I promise.” I said, making eye contact with the majiri woman. Her lips were swollen, her face flushed, and she was aroused, same as me.

“Now, I know what Nai’o was talking about. Pack some food, a blanket, and a bathing suit if you have one.”

“A bathing suit?”

“Yeah, you don’t have one, do you? Do you know how to swim?” She asked it in such a way that it had dual meanings.

I shook my head, “I can’t swim.”

She bit her lip, her eyes glancing over at me again. There was a seductive glint in her eyes. “I’ll be more than happy to teach you. See you tomorrow.”

With that Kenyatta bounced out of my house, passing a confused Auni. I walked outside and waved at Auni.

“Hey Auni!”

“Kenyatta’s seems out of it. That’s a pretty dress! Did Jel make that?”

“She figured out her path finally and yes! It’s pretty isn’t it?” I said, as I did a little curtsy for Auni and he blushed.

“It is! I—I got letters for you from Jel, Sifuu, and Hassian. See ya later Corinth!” Auni said before he shoved the letters into my mailbox and took off. I grabbed the letters, I put Jel’s on my dining table inside. I already knew what that one was about, so I ripped open Sifuu’s letter.

Dear Cori,

I just wanted to let you know Hassian and I talked things out. We discussed how we both feel now that Taylin's gone. I haven't cried that much since I was in diapers, but it was the good kind of cry. And the best part was...Hassian didn't turn away. Usually strong emotions scare him off, but he actually held my hand through it. I like to think the whole thing helped him too. It was kind of like I was crying for both of us. Anyway, this is probably too much information, but I wanted to let you know how much of an impact you've had on me and my little family.

P.S. Can you meet me at the Inn, and not bring Hassian, I have one more thing for you to do for me. Check in with Chayne first before you come see me.

The next letter was from Hassian.

My Dear Huntress,

There is a matter of importance that's been weighing on me. Come to me tonight, and I’ll tell you all about it.

I quickly packed some food and some clothes I wouldn’t mind swimming in, before taking off out of my gate towards the Inn. I knew Chayne would be there as soon as Chayne saw me he greeted me.

“Aw, just who I was hoping to see. Please meet me at the apothecary. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you.” I nodded and ran straight to the apothecary and waited for Chayne to arrive. I went to stand, but Chayne shook his head. “No need to get up. Hassian has told he wishes to take the step into consummating the relationship tonight. Do you feel ready to take that step, dear Child of Phoenix?”

“I feel ready,”

“Oh good. You have nothing to worry about. You have my blessing to take that step. However, I would like you to remain safe, while I am not sure if your union can result in pregnancy, it is better to be safe than sorry. So, please take this box with you, inside you will find tinctures of contraception powder, and contraception sleeves.”

“Huh? What do I do with these?”

“The powder you put under your tongue after penetrative sex if your partner did not wear a sleeve. You will be sick for a few days after consuming the tincture, and it may not completely prevent pregnancy. If you are even able to get pregnant. Only use this as a last effort. The sleeves go over the penis just before penetration takes place. It catches the semen which can cause pregnancy and infectious disease. Hassian has a clean bill of health, but this is to prevent a child from being conceived before you are prepared for such a responsibility. I did give Hassian some sleeves, but I know you are becoming close to other majiri here in Kilima, so I figured I’d give you this ahead of time.”

“Oh, like a condom.”

“A what?”

“Oh sorry, like, that word just popped into my head. I’ll take these. Anything else I should know?”

“Sifuu has some words of advice, but take it slowly should this happen, I would not like to have you come back here having injured yourself.”

“That can happen?”

Chayne blushed deeply and nodded. “Take your time and go at a pace that is adequate. Stay away from dangerous settings and all should be fine. Remember this is completely natural. If you ever need more please come see me. Each box comes with ten sleeves and three tinctures each.”

“Will do,” Now I knew I needed to pick the man’s brain to see what kind of injuries he’s had to deal with. Not that I was scared or anything. I knew Hassian wouldn’t hurt me. Chayne dismissed me and I headed back to the Inn to see Sifuu coming in with a box of stuff.

“Corinth! Hey! Hassian and I, started going through some of Taylin's old things...”

“Sifuu, you know this is going to be hard for him. He misses her a lot.”

“Ahhh, this stuff just goes over my head. I try my best, but that boy still doesn't want to talk to me. That's why I figured I'd call you over. Maybe you can rummage through that old junk and find what set him off. If I do it, he's just going to get mad. And we just managed to come to an understanding.”

“Fine. What are friends for, right? Let’s see—” I said as I began rummaging through the box. I found an old letter, with a book with star charts inside.

Hassian,

How's the weather in the plains? Your mom told me there's a storm rolling in from the desert. I know how much you hate it when you get cooped up inside, but I promise when I get back I'll take you camping for a whole week! We'll roast dinner on an open fire and stare up at the stars, all three of us together.

The woods are dark, and dank, and full of bugs. Blech! Some day I want to show it to you. Once it's safe.

I miss you so much, my smart little baby, and I hope you aren't giving mom too much trouble while I'm gone. This hunt won't last much longer, I promise.

Remember what I taught you, okay? When you get lonely, just look up at the night sky and remember that the stars are watching over you- and those same ones are watching over me too!

I can't wait to see you again.

Love, Momma

I put the letter down. “This is probably what did it Sifuu, Hassian did tell me he and Taylin used to go stargazing a lot when he was a boy.”

“An old star chart? Oh, I remember this! I never had much patience for it. But she used to pore over this book with him, teaching him all the stars. How to spot them. I asked him once, after everything happened, if he wanted to watch the stars with me instead. He said no.”

“Huh, what if we made him a new telescope?”

“Huh. Coming from you, he might actually accept it. Of course, you'd need to bring me the right materials. I'll need some copper, a glass lens, and a bit of silver ore. Bring that and we'll be in business!”

“The glass lens, that might be tricky. Could you fashion it from a sheet of glass? I think I was given some from Tish.”

“Yeah, you’re talking to the best blacksmith in Kilima,”

“I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail…meet me at the forge in ten.” I said, as I raced out of the Inn and quickly procured the materials Sifuu needed before running back to Sifuu’s blacksmith shop. I quickly handed over the materials, and within a half hour, the telescope was ready to go.

“Here you go. Hassian should be in his grove waiting for you. Be good to my boy, will ya? Go get 'em, tiger!”

“Always.” I said, as I tucked the telescope into my backpack and took off in the waning sunset.

My feet carried me straight to Hassian’s grove. Was I ready for this? I knew this whole situation came from a misstep on Hassian’s part but I grew to love this man. I took a deep breath to quell my racing heart before I shoved Hassian’s key into the lock and opened the door.

I was greeted by quite the scene. Hassian, seemed to be pacing back and forth. On the ground was a mattress covered with what appeared like white satin sheets, and a heavy blanket made from white azure chapaa fur. He glanced at my way and he immediately made his way to me. His eyes take in my attire. “I see you got my letter. Is that the dress?”

“I come bearing gifts…uh…” My eyes shot on the bed set up as I pulled off my backpack and took out the telescope. “New bed?” I asked, my lips curling into a smirk.

“A telescope?” Hassian retorted with a question of his own. “Oh Dragon, did my mother talk to you?” He asked again, dread filling his voice.

I smiled, “Oh, this? No. I’m just psychic ya know? Totally like how the lingerie I’m wearing underneath is crotchless. Totally not the same thing you know.” Hassian raised an eyebrow at me. “Of course she talked to me Hassian. So did Chayne. You didn’t have to tell the whole town about your plans to bed me, but here we are.” I said, as I handed him the telescope. “But yes, this is a telescope Sifuu and I crafted.”

“I’m sorry, this wasn’t my intention. I needed the people closest to me to know. I did commission Jel to make that dress and what’s underneath it. So I needed to let him know that I needed it tonight. It wasn’t the whole town, just three people.”

“How’d Kenyatta know then?”

Hassian pulled his eyebrows together. “I never mentioned anything to her about this—” His face wrinkled then his looked softened in recognition. “She loaned me the sheets when I asked her about how to get proper bedding…”

“Hassian…”

“If you were psychic, our courtship might have gone a lot smoother. I deeply apologize. I guess I owe you an explanation as to all of this huh?”

“Yeah, that would be of great help. What happened today? I thought things between you and Sifuu were finally looking up.”

“After you helped my mother with her book, we spoke more in-depth. About Taylin... and about our family. She thought it was time to go through some of my mother's old things. Keep what we wanted and get rid of the rest. And I... couldn't. It's been over a decade. I don't fault my mother for wanting to move on. Not really. I simply... don't have that in me.”

“That’s understandable Hassian, you don’t forget people who were a part of your life so easily. Nor it is easy to throw away things that feel like they’re still there. I’ve remembered my own mother here, and although she passed away while I was an adult, I still miss her. Why Embra chose me, I don’t even know.”

“You gave me a piece of my momma back to me. For that, I thank you. Let me set this up. Come in, make yourself comfortable.” Hassian said as he took the telescope and began setting it up, adjusting as he needed. Meanwhile, I decided to set myself up on the bed.

“This dress is actually pretty comfortable.” I said, as ran my hand through the soft fur of the chapaa blanket. “Although, the crotchless lingerie…”

“I know, but I didn’t want to fuss with it,”

“So that’s still a thing right?”

Hassian smiled, his fangs showing. “Yes, I can’t wait anymore, but I wanted to talk to you about the stars first.”

“The stars? Okay?”

“Come here, I’ve found it. Dunn and Nyota. My momma told me this story…” I got up off the bed, and walked over to Hassian as he waved me to look through the sight of the telescope. “Have you heard of the story of Dunn and Nyota?”

“No,” I said, as I stared up at a clear constellation. It looked like lovers in an embrace.

“Well, Legend has it that in the days of the first Majiri, there were many intelligent creatures who lived in these woods. One such creature was the wood nymph. Each nymph was said to have a unique magical power. One day, a nymph called Nyota, who had the power to see the future, met a young hunter named Dunn. Nyota helped Dunn find all the best prey in exchange for stories of the world outside the woods. Eventually, Nyota and Dunn spent so much time together they fell in love. But the first time they kissed, Nyota saw that Dunn's people would betray hers by flooding her home to create a great lake.”

“Oh? Well, I can assure you, I haven’t seen into the future, only into the past so far.” I said, as I stood up and looked at Hassian.

“What do you think Nyota should have done when she learned this?”

“Oh God, Hassian, I don’t know. Perhaps plea with Dunn’s people, and convince Dunn to help her plea with his people? It’s either that or kill him and warn her people, I like option one a lot better.”

“That's what she did. And Dunn fought tirelessly against the dam, but unfortunately, he failed, and they both drowned. I always took that story to mean that people from two different worlds couldn't be together...but maybe I got it all wrong.”

“Yeah I’d say so, you’re stuck with me.” I teased putting an arm around the small of his back in a side hug. Hassian snorted out in amusement before smirking.

“When we first started... flirting, I wasn't sure what to do. I thought it would be better for us both if I tried to shut things down. And then I found myself thinking of you, all the time. Whether you'd like a flower I spotted in the meadow, or how your smile looks in the sun. I lost many sleepless nights when I realized what you meant to me. I thought, like Nyota and Dunn, we were never meant to be. Yet you surprised me at every step. Returning my affections. Following Majiri tradition. And I realized that, whatever our differences, there was nothing I wasn't willing to overcome.” Hassian then pulled out a box from his pocket and handed it to me. “I made this pin for you the night you gave me that lily. I wanted to hold onto it until I was sure...I should have known from the beginning that it was always meant to be yours.”

“Your pin?”

“Yes, I want to commit myself wholly to you. This should’ve come a lot sooner than it has, but we are here now and I love you.”

“I love you too Hassian. How do I wear this? On my clothing? In my hair?”

“Wear it however you like. It’s yours. Just like my heart.”

“Well, let me wear it proudly then,” I said, as I put Hassian’s pin right over my own heart. “Actually, I don’t want to puncture the dress, but…” I said as I reached behind me and unzipped the dress and let the dress slide off me. Hassian’s stare turned dark with lust as soon as he saw the lingerie. It was transparent, and left little to the imagination, so put the pin right in the center of my chest between my breasts. “I think right here, will fit just fine.”

Hassian’s lips captured mine the moment the pin was fastened in a heated, passionate kiss. “You’re my absolute undoing.” Hassian moaned breathily in between kisses. “I’m going to enjoy every bit of you tonight. But first, I need to make myself more comfortable. Why don’t go lay on the bed, I’ll join you in a moment.”

I nodded while I walked over to the bed as I laid back onto the chapaa fur blanket and looked up at the sky, noticing how big the stars looked tonight. As well as the double moons. I was enjoying the feel of the soft wind blowing my hair around my face and licks of warmth from the fire. I felt the mattress and blanket shift and dip next to me as I felt Hassian lay next to me, ready for the events that lay ahead. He slid his arms around my waist, making my skin tingle in anticipation.

He then coaxed his hand under my chin to turn my head to face him. He looked into my eyes. I noticed how the fire and the moonlight reflected in his chartreuse eyes. It was mesmerizing. He leaned forward and gently kissed me, his lips warm against mine, much like they were every time we had kissed. This time I slightly parted my lips, just enough to let him slide his tongue inside of my mouth, pressing the tip onto the tip of mine. The kiss became a little playful, with us messing with each other’s tongue and sucking each other’s lips, until it became deep, passionate, and full of need.

He pulled away and slid his fingers through my hair, gently pulling my head back as he leaned down and kissed my neck. I mewled, and moaned as he kissed and sucked the most sensitive parts of my neck. My heart quickened as his hand slid up and lightly cupped my breast, instantly hardening my nipples which strained against the lace lingerie I wore. I pulled away from him slowly and grabbed his hand.

Interlocking his fingers with mine, I gave him a little push and he sank down into the mattress, laying on his back and propping himself up on his elbows he looked at me. I decided to give him a show, so I slowly peeled down the straps of lingerie, I felt wild, red-blooded, and free as I started to slide down the fabric, a bit at a time, he pulled me to him so that I fell on top of him on the bed. Giggling, I sat up on top of him straddling him and holding him down with my knees. I peeled down the remaining fabric revealing my breasts to him.

“Beautiful.” Hassian said, as he leaned forward and took my right nipple into his mouth, and covered the other with his large hand. My body was on fire as he licked and rubbed my breasts simultaneously making me arch my back as the pleasure rolled through me. I could feel how hard he was against the inside of my thigh, wanting me just as much as I wanted him.

He caught me off guard as he flipped me over onto my back and stood up, his body was lean and masculine with muscles in all the right places. I watched as the moonlight glistened off his chest making my heart pound at the sight of him. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

He was naked, I enjoyed the view of his erect cock thick and long, making me lick my lips in anticipation of feeling it fill my mouth. He leaned down to me, pulled my lingerie down, and slid it over my legs and feet leaving me lying there naked before him. He got back down onto his knees, and he kissed me lightly on the mouth, before moving lower and kissed me on my neck.

Moving excruciatingly slow, he kissed my body, tasting each bit of skin down until he came to my legs. He pulled my legs apart and seeing that I was already wet and ready for him, he leaned down and took my clit into his mouth. I put my hands on his head and enjoyed the feeling of him giving me pleasure. I couldn't help but moan loudly, my moans echoing throughout the cove as he licked, sucked, and fingered me right to the brim of ecstasy. He knew exactly what to do, he had done this to me once before, but I loved every fucking second of it.

Before I knew it, I fell over the brim as my orgasm came fast and hard, I clutched the blanket to avoid hurting him. I let out a series of moans, Hassian’s name thrown into the mix as my toes curled and I closed my eyes, surrendering myself to the pleasure.

Breathless, he moved away from me, but not without a smile, knowing that he had given me so much pleasure; I lay there panting, but wanting more. I slowly got up on my knees and pushed him back onto his back.

I leaned down and slowly put my mouth around his cock. As I started to lick and suck on him, he started to moan, and when I looked up at him, his eyes were closed enjoying the moment.

“Stop, I don’t want to cum yet. Give me a moment.” Hassian said, as he grabbed a box similar to the one Chayne had been given. It probably was the same one, if I was honest. He pulled a contraceptive sleeve out and carefully slid it on his erection. I watched him carefully, learning how to put it on in the process. Once the sleeve was at the base of his cock, he made eye contact. “There’s no going back after this. I would prefer you to get on top, so you can have control. I don’t want to hurt you, but this…” His eyes diverted to his erection. “…is larger than my fingers, so there will be pain. Take it slow, a little at a time, and go at your pace. I will be patient.”

I sucked in a deep breath as I nodded. “I straddle you like earlier right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” I was so nervous. Hassian laid back on the bed, as I straddled him. I reached beneath me and took Hassian’s erection and aimed it up and lowered my hips until the head of his cock was pressing right against my entrance. I bit my lip, and coaxed myself to lower a bit more so the head of his penis was stretching my entrance, there was a bit of resistance but pulled my hips back up and lowered myself again. Each time there was a bit more pain, with the stretching.

“You feel so good Corinth, keep going…how are you feeling?”

“It’s a little painful, but I think I can do this. I want to do this.” I said, as I managed to get him a majority of the way inside of me, and with one more final push, he was seated fully inside of me, filling me entirely. I felt full, as a flicker of pleasure shot through me from where my clit ground against Hassian and I knew it was the building blocks. Something to work toward, and it was meant to be a pleasurable experience. “I want to savor this for a second. I’m not a virgin anymore.”

Hassian sat up, his hands bracing against my back as he smiled. He let out a small laugh. My hands held his shoulders. “No, you are not. Congratulations on losing your virginity.” Hassian said as he kissed me. “Glad it was with me.” I lost myself in the kiss, as I slowly started moving my hips on him. At first it felt foreign to me, but soon, I found a pleasurable rhythm. There would still be pain, and stinging every so often if I moved too quickly or in a way I wasn’t meant to, but soon, that pain was being replaced by pleasure. Hassian’s hands caressed every inch of my body and his lips did too.

“Fuck.” I heard Hassian mutter. His hand gripped each ass cheek and moved me against him in such a way that a shock of pleasure ricocheted through me causing a moan to leave my lips involuntarily. “Someone is close.” Hassian purred as he did the same thing again. Teaching me how to move my hips. “Move your hips like this, you will not be denied the pleasure you are looking for.” I nodded as I mimicked Hassian’s motions with my hips, moving my hips in this new motion and my body somehow knew exactly what to do. Hassian busied his mouth with my nipples. I lifted my hips and grounded down against him, I was wet and there was no resistance now.

I kept moving my hips and soon, my orgasm was imminent appearance. I rocked my hips against Hassian. His name was being tossed from my lips like a fervent as I leaned back. Bringing more friction to our conjoined bodies. I became enveloped in pleasure, my vaginal muscles contracted around him. I loved all of it. We both had a sheen of sweat covering our bodies from our effort.

“That’s right. Let it go. Let your body feel this.” Hassian said, as he pushed up into me. He held on to me and bounced me on top of him as my body was overcome with the pinnacle of my pleasure. My body became it’s own entity, and it felt wonderful to be able to become so vulnerable with Hassian.

We were one finally. Once my orgasm had finished, he coaxed me to lay on my side, lifting one leg high into the air as he continued to thrust into me. He did this for some time, before, he got tired of this position and pulled out.

“You are beautiful, I want to make love to you properly now.” Hassian said, I laid on my bed, spreading my legs to receive him. He positioned himself at my entrance and pushed inside. I was still very sensitive, as my body accepted him more readily than the first time. He started moving his hips, making sure to aim deeper and deeper, and soon he was grinding against me. His lips met mine. His moaning became louder, and I knew he was close as our hips were meeting each other at a fierce pace. I clung to him as if my life depended on it.

“Hassian! Hassian! I’m—” I let out a series of yells, yeses, and expletives as my third orgasm of the night crashed over me.

Suddenly he grunted, his hips moved wildly, and his hand dived between our conjoined bodies as he played with my clit, making my third orgasm all the more intense. I thought my body was going to catch fire. Tears brimmed my eyes, and some tears trailed down the side of my face, trailing into my hairline. I could feel his cock spasm, releasing his seed inside of the sleeve he wore. My name as well, spilled from his lips like a fervent prayer, his hips slowing as he rode out his orgasm. He collapsed on top of me. Both of us were sweaty and breathless. Our hair and eyes were wild with what just transpired between us.

Hassian stroked over my head and his hands ran over the wet portion of my hair where my tears landed. He became panicked. “We’re you crying? Was it still painful? Did I hurt you?”

I shook my head. “No. It was beautiful. These, are happy tears.”

“I could fall asleep here, but it’s not for the best,” Hassian said, as he slid out of me, breaking our union. He carefully peels off the sleeve tying it before tossing it in the fire. “You should relieve yourself. Then come back to the bed, I’ll make us some food.” Hassian said, his eyes meeting mine. I nodded as I stood up, my pussy was throbbing and made my way to his outhouse.

Chapter Text

Hassian was waiting for me when I opened the door to the outhouse. I did manage to relieve myself, but I knew I had some tearing down there, as it stung. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m a bit tender down there.”

“That’s to be expected. Your body will get acclimated to it, I promise you that. I prepared some food, once we eat, we can wash up and get some rest.”

“Hassian, you know I can’t sleep.” Hassian frowned.

“I know. I still wouldn’t mind sharing the bed with you though.” Hassian said, “Why don’t you eat, I need to use the outhouse.”

I nodded. “That’s fine, I’ll eat,” I said as I walked towards the bed. A shiver ran through me as I was still naked. Goosebumps ladened my skin as I sat down on the bed. I wondered if I should just get my clothes back on. I decided against it. I opted to wrap the chapaa blanket around myself and looked at what Hassian had prepared for food. It looked like simple finger foods, stuffed mushrooms, grilled oysters, chapaa tacos, and some petite fours? No, fives? They were pentagon-shaped cakes. I wondered if Hassian had gotten those as a gift or if Reth had made them. They were cute but Hassian didn’t seem like a baker.

There was also a basket of fresh strawberries and raspberries. I grabbed a raspberry and popped it into my mouth. The tartness of the berry made my mouth water, and I realized I was famished. I heard Hassian finish up, and he came to sit right next to me.

“You didn’t help yourself? Are you cold?”

“A little, I wanted to wait for you,” I said, looking up at Hassian.

“Well, let me get you a plate, how hungry are you?”

“I’m famished.”

Hassian smiled, “Did you work up an appetite?”

I rolled my lips over my teeth. “In more ways than one.” Hassian chuckled.

“Well I made the tacos earlier, Reth sent over the mushrooms, these little cake things, and the oysters. Nai’o sent over the berries. I’ll make a big plate to share.”

Moments later, Hassian brought over two plates full of the various food items. One plate for the savory things, one plate full of the sweet items. Hassian set the plates down on the bed in front of me before he slid in behind me.

We fed each other, teasing each other with caresses, and kisses in between bites. The food was delicious. When we got to the berries, Hassian was a bit playful and decided to smash a berry onto the nook of my neck before sucking and licking it up. By now, I could feel him becoming aroused again.

I moaned, “Hassian, you’re teasing me.”

“Your very presence is a tease, my huntress. Let’s wash up.”

I got up, as did Hassian and I walked over to the double waterfall inside of Hassian’s Grove, and dipped my body under the stream of water, making sure to wet my hair and body completely. Hassian stayed back a little bit, but I saw he was grabbing another sleeve before he joined me. “Can’t get enough of me?”

“No, I can’t. Not when you are naked, wet like this, you look like a dream.”

“Kiss me.”

The kiss was passionate, consuming us in lust and desire. Hassian’s hands were all over me, as if memorizing every line, every crevice, every curve of my body. His warmth seems to take away the chill of the water that washed over us.

It didn’t take much foreplay this time before Hassian peeled on the sleeve and we were intimately intertwined again. Hassian seemed to regain his strength as I wrapped my legs around his body and he balanced both of us, his hands firmly grasping both of my ass cheeks, while I had my hands around his shoulders. I rocked my hips down to meet his upward thrusts. The cold water tingled against our skin, heightening our pleasure and it wasn’t long before I was losing myself in orgasm again.

“Hassian! Yes!”

“You drive me crazy Corinth! You have no idea.” Hassian then moved us out of the stream of water and pinned me against the rock wall, before continuing to move inside of me. “I’m not hurting you am I?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m cold, more than anything at the moment.”

“I won’t take long. I promise, I love you.”

“I love you too.” I moaned, Hassian thrust us into a shared climax. I moaned Hassian’s name.

“Corinth, I can’t seem to get enough of you. I just want to love you forever.” Hassian said, as he was careful not to hurt me, or my back against the rock wall, Hassian leaned into me forward and we shared a passionate kiss. I shiver ran through me, as Hassian gently peeled my legs from around his trunk and pulled out of me, before setting me down. He peeled off the sleeve and tied it up and set it aside. He then grabbed his sponge and soap. “Turn around my huntress, let me wash your back.”

I turned around and allowed him to wash my back. His hand caressed around the side of my body and closed on my womanhood. His fingers played with my clit, and I was still sensitive from my previous orgasm, so it didn’t take long for me to come again. I leaned back against him as I moaned, feeling my pleasure wash over me. He then brought the sponge down there and washed me well.

“I love your hands Hassian, I love you so much.”

“And I you, my huntress. Hurry, wash off, and I’ll join you in bed.” Hassian said, as he pulled away from me, giving me a chaste kiss on my lips. I nodded, as I entered the stream of water from the waterfall and rinsed off before I quickly sought refuge from the cold underneath the blankets of the bed.

Hassian added more wood to the fire and put the food away before he joined me in bed again. I could tell he was tired, as I draped my leg and arm over him and snuggled into his right side. He pulled me to him, wrapping me in a warm embrace. “Go to sleep my dear. I’ll be here when you awake.” I said, as I lovingly massaged his scalp.

“I love you.” Hassian said, giving me a chaste kiss. “See you in the morning.” Hassian said, as he settled in bed, and closed his eyes. Hassian quickly fell asleep. I closed my eyes and tried to nap, but I found myself too restless. Hours went by with me just tossing and turning and the heat from Hassian’s body was causing my head to swim with lust.

I decided to write about my experience with Hassian, and how I was feeling at the moment, so I grabbed my notebook out of my bag and my pen. The sky was beginning to lighten up with the impending sunrise.

Tossing and turning makes my appetite keep growing stronger
All night long
Anticipating morning light and I can't wait much longer
Feels so strong

Our bodies touching, I just can't get enough
I wanna love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, eh
Won't let you sleep, I gotta satisfy my needs
I need to love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, yeah

And when the sun rises, there's one thing on my mind
I want sex for breakfast, stay inside
And even though we made sweet love all night
I need sex for breakfast, feels so right

Might be late for work, but I promise that it's worth it baby
Don't go
So hungry for you, taste me and I'll taste you
There's no stopping what I'll do to get you in the mood

Our bodies touching, I just can't get enough
I wanna love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, eh
Won't let you sleep, want you deep inside of me
So I can love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, yeah

And when the sun rises, there's one thing on my mind
I want sex for breakfast, stay inside
And even though we made sweet love all night
I need sex for breakfast, feels so right

And I can see break of day peeking through the curtains
And I'm so certain,
Soon I'm gonna feel your honey drip my juices start to flow
Strawberry cream is like a dream, my fantasy is reality
When the morning comes, I know that I will too

And when the sun rises, there's one thing on my mind
I need sex for breakfast, stay inside
And even though we made sweet love all night
I need sex for breakfast, feels so right
And when the sun rises, there's one thing on my mind
Sex for breakfast (I need it, I want it),
Stay inside (when the morning comes)
And even though that we made sweet love all night
Sex for breakfast, feels so right
So hungry for you
Taste me, and I'll taste you
Sex for breakfast
All done
Sex for breakfast (feels so right)

I closed the notebook and snuggled up against Hassian again. My lower belly felt heavy with arousal and desire. I didn’t want to wake Hassian, knowing he needed the rest. I decided I’d try to get up and get some breakfast going, but I felt a hand grasp my wrist and pull me back into bed. “Where do you think you’re going?” Hassian asked, as he looked at me, with one eye open. Sleep still written all over his face.

“Oh, I thought I’d make us some breakfast…”

“I want you for breakfast.” Hassian said, as he peeled off the blankets off of us to reveal his erection. “Did you sleep?”

I shook my head and frowned. “You know I can’t sleep.” I said, caressing my hand over his chest.

Hassian grabbed my hand and kissed the tips of my fingers. “My dreams lately have been dominated by you…” He then pushed me on my back and pinned my arms over my head. “I think I had you like this…”

I could feel waves of arousal hit my sex with Hassian’s body against mine. “And then what?” I asked looking up at him, he was fully awake now, but he was full of lust.

“And then I kissed you.” Hassian said, as he leaned down and his lips kissed mine, I just wanted him inside of me again. I opened my legs for him as I brought my hips to meet his, my clit rubbed against his erection, and I moaned into our kiss. I was wet, and I could the cool air hit my most intimate parts, cooling my hot sex. “You’re wet and ready for me aren’t you?”

I hummed my reply. “I’ve wanted this all night.” He then pulled his lips away from mine, as he glanced around and quickly found the box with the contraceptive sleeves inside of it, grabbed one and quickly peeled it on. He then pushed the head of his cock to my entrance and began prodding. “Yes,” I said, arching my back, feeling him enter me.

“I’ve awakened a beast inside of you haven’t I?” Hassian asked, as he pushed himself inside of me all the way, the tip of his cock hitting my cervix deep inside of me, and I let out a moan.

“Mmhm…”

Hassian smirked as he kissed the tip of my nose and his hand enveloped itself around my left breast, squeezing and gripping the globe of flesh. “You’ve done the same for me. I can’t get enough of you, I’m a bit obsessed. Obsessed with your body, obsessed with how I make you gasp when I do this…” Hassian ground himself up against my clit, which made me gasp and moan. “You are everything to me Corinth. I love you.”

“I love you too Hassian…” I said, as Hassian began moving inside of me. I brought my lips to his and we kissed passionately. Hassian’s lips moved down to my neck, and today I was incredibly sensitive. He seemed to have fun sucking, biting, and licking my neck. Desire ran rampant through me as he found a spot on my neck that seemed almost euphoric. “Mm…mark me Hassian…claim me, I’m yours.”

Hassian let out a groan, as he thrust deeply inside of me, filling me to the hilt again as his teeth sank into the skin of that spot. My orgasm hit at the same time. “HASSIAN! FUCK! YES!!!” My eyes squeezed shut as my legs, and arms folded themselves around him. Hassian continued thrusting into me, his thrusts growing rough, and domineering as he pushed me through my orgasm. It must have felt so good, having my muscles squeezing and contracting around his cock. He slowed down, seemingly coming out of the trance he was in.

He then pulled away from the mark he made, “You’re bleeding.” I looked up at him, my blood on his lips, and staining his teeth.

“Not badly right? It didn’t hurt.”

“I punctured you, much like Jel did. I was in the moment. Let me grab you something.” Hassian said, as he pulled out of me and grabbed a cloth to put on my neck. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I asked you to do that, and it felt amazing. I came the moment you did it.”

“It’s going to bruise, and probably be painful.” Hassian said frowning as he tended to the bite wound on my neck. “I should’ve been more careful.” I put a hand up to Hassian’s left cheek and caressed the side of his face.

“You didn’t cum, did you?” I asked, my eyes meeting his.

He shook his head. “No, I was alarmed that I bit you so hard I drew blood.”

“It’s fine Hassian, I permitted it, don’t beat yourself up over it. It’ll be fine.”

“Let me patch you up,” Hassian said, as he cleaned and dressed the bite wound. He rinsed the bite with the antiseptic, and it stung, but not as bad as Jel’s bite did probably because I hadn’t addressed it for a full day, as opposed to Hassian’s which was fresh. He then put the ointment on and put a wrap over it. With the bite wound addressed, Hassian licked his lips. “Get on all fours my love, I want to try a new position.”

“Oh, we’re still doing this?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Of course. I told you, I’m obsessed with you,” he said, as he began stroking himself. I got on all fours and glanced back at him. He had leaned in, his face close to my pussy, he then began eating me out. I moaned as soon as Hassian’s mouth hit my flesh. I then felt his tongue start licking around my anus. I did find it pleasurable but thought it was unsanitary. My face scrunched up as I jerked away.

“What are you doing?” I asked, craning my neck to look back at him. |

“You didn’t like that?”

“It feels nice, but isn’t that unsanitary?” I asked my eyes meeting his and he shook his head.

“You’re clean, and I don’t mind doing it. I do want to try anal sex with you but only if you’re comfortable.”

“Oh, will it hurt?” I asked, looking at him and he nodded. “I read something about double penetration in some books that Jina found…”

“Double penetration? That is…interesting…” He then entered me, without much warning. Meanwhile, he brought his thumb to wipe some of my wetness and began whirling his thumb around my anal sphincter as he thrust inside of me. I wondered what his end game was. “That’s with two men, right? And yes, there will be pain.” Hassian breathed out as he began putting more pressure and I felt a stinging pain of stretching, but the pleasure I was feeling seemed to overcome that rather quickly. “How’d you find out about it? The double penetration thing?”

“Jina gave me books that had explicit writing in them…mm!” Hassian then thrust deeply inside of me, and this time he slipped more of his thumb inside of me. “Fuck Hassian…I love it when you do that.”

“Well, I’m curious…I doubt I’ll be able to read these books, but you can, right?” Hassian said breathlessly before he let out a moan. “I’m going to go inside fully with my thumb then try to get my pointer inside of you, you’ll feel some pain.” Hassian said, as he slowed his thrusts inside of me as he started focusing on stretching my anus, and this time it stung. I let out a hiss of pain. Tears began welling up in my eyes.

“Hassian, it’s starting to hurt and yes, I can read the ancient human texts.”

“Hang on,” Hassian said, as he grabbed his bag and pulled a bottle of oil out of it. He pulled the cork out with his teeth and let a generous amount fall down the crack of my ass, soaking his fingers in the lubricating liquid. “This is the same oil I used before, it should help out a bit.” The pain dulled, and Hassian began moving his cock inside of me again. He finally got his thumb inside of me to the knuckle, and he started stretching. “Take a deep breath, you’re tensing up down here. Try not to clench around my fingers.”

“I’m trying Hassian,” I drew in a deep breath as I willed my sphincter to relax. I knew Hassian wouldn’t hurt me intentionally, it was just my body wasn’t used to being penetrated like this.

“Atta girl,” Hassian said, as he started pushing his pointer finger inside of me. “So, about these books?”

“Mm, they talked about orgies, sex, and double penetration among other things.”

“Interesting…I’ve heard stories, I’ve never participated in anything like that, but seeing as you will most likely have sexual experiences with others, I guess I wouldn’t be opposed should the opportunity arise.” Hassian said, as he continued moving at a faster pace inside of me and moving his fingers in a scissoring motion inside of me. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel you stretching me, but the pain has died off:”

“Good, I’m going to stretch you a bit more, before I try penetrating you here.” Hassian said as he continued fucking me. He continued to stretch me for a bit longer. I then felt him remove his fingers and I felt him pull out of me and position himself at my anus. “You ready?”

I nodded, and Hassian started pushing himself into the empty void created by his fingers. My fingers curled around the fur of the chapaa blanket with a death grip. I could feel the pressure and a slight stretching sting as the head of Hassian’s cock breached the tight ring of muscles of my anus. I let out a hiss. I could visualize Hassian’s frown in my mind, but I didn’t bother looking back at him. He was insistent on having me lose all my virginities. Hassian kept working his way inside of me until I could feel his hip meet my backside.

“Are you in?”

“Yes. I’m sorry if I’m causing you pain.”

“You already warned me this would be painful. It’s part of the territory.”

“I’ll make you feel good though I promise.” Hassian said as he smoothed a hand over my hip and slid it to my clit where he started strumming on it with his pointer and middle finger. I let out a moan and closed my eyes, feeling my excitement start to build again.

Hassian began moving, with each thrust and movement of his hands I was getting closer to my peak. Soon I got to my knees and reached behind me. I wanted to feel how good I felt to him, I wanted to hear his breath in my ear. His other hand grasped my breast and rolled my nipple until it was hard, as his ministrations on my clit sent a moan spilling out of my lips.

Hassian’s lips began kissing the sides of my neck. My pleasure was climbing and climbing until I was about to orgasm. “Hassian, I’m coming again.”

“Let’s do it together,” Hassian said, as he began moving at a fast pace. I moved my hips against his cock and his hand. My body shuddered as I was overcome by waves of pleasure, and I collapsed against him, as he wrapped his free arm around me as he came at the same time as I did. Moaning in my ear in delight. I could feel a trickle of my wetness slide down the inside of my left thigh.

I felt so good. So fulfilled, but Hassian had pulled out of me, breathless. Hassian lavished kisses all over my sensitive neck causing chills to race down my spine. “That was nice.” I said, running my fingers over his dreads as I turned my head to kiss him fully on the lips. “I love you Hassian.”

“Mm. I love you too, you should probably get dressed. We have to go hunting for chapaa and sernuk..” Hassian said, as he slid the sleeve off his cock and released me. I got up and immediately felt like I needed to relieve myself. So, I got up and did that.

It seemed that having Hassian inside me in this fashion jostled some things around in my guts. Upon relieving myself, I gave myself a quick wash up before grabbing my clothes out of my bag and getting dressed. Hassian too, washed up and got dressed before he started cooking some eggs.

Meanwhile, I folded up the blankets, and packed up my dress and lingerie. I then stretched. “So what are you doing with the mattress and linens?”

“I’ll return them tomorrow. I’ll feed us some breakfast, what are your plans for the rest of the day? Would you want to do some chapaa hunting with me?”

“I’m always down to hunt with you Hassian, I needed to meet up with Kenyatta later today.”

“Oh, she did mention she was foraging for herbs. I guess things with Chayne are going well for her. She seems to have a knack for healing. The sernuk she helped is almost fully recovered. I have to say I’m impressed.”

“Well, she wasn’t even sure she should do it, I had to give her a nudge in that direction.” I said, looking at Hassian. He cocked his head to the side with intrigue but kept his eyes on the eggs he was cooking. “We kissed before I came over here.”

Hassian nearly dropped the wooden spatula he was using to scramble the eggs. “What? You didn’t bother to mention that to me last night before we—”

“I know! I’m sorry. I was tending to my garden, and she stopped by to give me an update on the sernuk. I was already in the dress…”

“She hasn’t even pinned you, neither has Reth, Jel, Nai’o or Jina…I’m really starting to wonder if Reth and Jel are right. Who else has kissed you?”

“Ho-Hodari too.”

“Hodari!?!?” Hassian exclaimed through a clenched jaw. He then slammed the spatula into the eggs angrily.

“What do you mean you think Jel and Reth are right? About what?”

“They called it the Corinth Effect. It’s the effect you have on any of us when we’re in the same room with you for an extended period of time. Your very presence makes us come undone, and act irrationally when we’re around you. Were you even serious about anything you said last night and this morning?”

“Hassian I love you! Why would you doubt that? I can’t control this any more than you can. Whatever effect I have on you, you also have on me. It’s mutual. The first time it happened in Jel’s shop, I wanted to give in so badly. I was scared of what was happening to me and within me. I left Jel’s shop in a state of shock. You were the first one to make me realize that these feelings are perfectly normal and you made me feel secure in them. I don’t want to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you…I want to stay honest and open with you. You know I have feelings for other people as well. I would like to explore them.”

“I…believe you and I know you will…I was surprised when you said Hodari’s name…the man has been grieving since Leta passed away. He kissed you?”

“It was a simple peck on the lips, he said I looked like I needed to be kissed and that I made him feel like a teenager again.”

“Interesting. I’ll have to—” Hassian was interrupted by a knock at the door. He glared at the door. He let out a groan. “I’ll get that. Eat the eggs, there’s yogurt and berries from yesterday. Also, in my bag, there’s a notebook. I want you to read what’s on the last couple of pages. I wanted to see if you could make them into songs. Feel free to take them with you. I shouldn’t be long.” Hassian said, as he then stepped out, and I saw Hodari standing there for the moment that the door was opened. He didn’t seem to see me.

I looked down at the ground and wondered what Hodari wanted for a moment before I turned on my heel, grabbed a clean plate before I helped myself to some of the scrambled eggs, yogurt, and berries from the night before. It was pretty delicious.

I then grabbed Hassian’s bag and found his notebook. I opened it, and inside I found some of the most beautiful poetry I had ever read. I quickly found myself engrossed and getting a glimpse of Hassian’s complex mind. The man was emotional, he made it a point to never show that emotion around people he considered strangers and acquaintances.

I can’t fall asleep
So I lie here,
With these thoughts inside my head I can't control
They say that this was meant to happen
But soon this will be all we've ever known

Giving me to this to get down
To find the thing that we're sure about
We take a little more and I know
This is not where we should go

I can't fall asleep so I lie here
Drifting further from the place I used to hold
I tried to keep myself, in motion
Slowly changing but first I have to know

Wait to catch your breath, so get inside
Heavy as we see what's left behind
Forget about the note if we can
Let it go to find our way back

I can't fall asleep so we lie here
With these thoughts inside our heads they can't control
We say that this was meant to happen
But soon this will be all we've ever known

I wondered what the words on the page even meant. Was this written on a night he couldn’t sleep and couldn’t stop thinking about me? I then turned the page and was met with a love poem.

You stole my heart
The first time that I saw your face
It was the start
Of a never-ending love
I never knew I was worthy of
And I knew that when I told her
I could see us growing older
From the confusion in my head
It was the truest thing I've said
I keep holding on
Holding on
Holding on
To you
We all have scars
That tell the story of the worlds
That we have seen
You got the stuff
The trials that we've been through
You got me, girl
And I got you
And when I feel insecure
You do your best to reassure
All my worries and my fears
Will be gone
I will crawl a million miles for you
It will never be enough
To know it's just
Just too strong
I keep holding on
I keep holding on
I keep holding on
To you
Holding on
Just holding on
Holding on
To you
This love is driving me crazy
This love is driving me crazy
I keep holding on
To you
Can't let go
No, I can't let go
I keep holding on
Keep holding on to you
Can't let go
Can't let go
I keep holding on
I keep holding on
I keep holding on
To you
Holding on to you
I keep holding on
I keep holding on
To you
I keep holding on
I keep holding on
To you

As I read the poem, I could hear the chords and melodies in my head. I tore both sheets out of the notebook before I finished my food and started going through my bag to add the pages into my own notebook when I heard the sound of protests before something heavy thudded against the door of the grove. I was alarmed. I quickly shoved the sheets into my notebook and shoved the notebook back into my bag as I got up.

“Hassian! Is everything okay?” I called out, as I rushed to the door. He didn’t answer me.

“Who’s in there?” I heard Hodari ask, his question pointed at Hassian.

“Corinth.”

I then opened the door. Hassian nearly lost his balance as he had his back against the door. Hodari looked red-faced from either anger or embarrassment, and he quickly unhanded Hassian who looked disheveled. “What’s going on out here?”

“Oh hey Cori, it’s nothing. Right Hassian?”

“Nothing? Right.” Hassian then cleared his throat. “Hodari came by and asked if we could keep things down…” Hassian rushed, he sounded panicked.

“Right. All of the bay could hear the two of you going at it like chapaas in heat las’ night.”

My eyes switched between Hodari and Hassian. Embarrassment ran rampant through me but even in my mortified state, I could tell there was something more going on between the two men. I could sense it. “You guys weren’t fighting were you? Also, Hodari, I apologize if I kept you up last night.”

“The walls of the grove echo. Save your apologies Corinth. I’ll leave you two love birds alone…”

“Hodari, are you jealous? How would you know…you know what? Why don’t you come in and we can discuss all this like adults.” I saw Hassian glare at me from the corner of my eye.

“No need for all that. I gotta get to Kilima. Will I see you tonight Hass?”

“Yes. I’ll be there.”

“What’s happening in Kilima?”

“That’s for me to know. Don’t worry that pretty little head of yours about it. You’ll find out in due time.”

“Did something happen last night I wasn’t aware about?”

“No. As I said, don’t worry ‘bout it.”

Now I was more confused than I was before I looked at Hassian for an explanation. He simply shrugged. “See you tonight Hass, take care Corinth.” Hodari said, as he turned on his heel with a three-finger wave to the both of us. I stood there feeling like I was missing a bunch of information, and I had a feeling Hassian wasn’t about to fill in the cracks.

“What was that about?”

“As Hodari said, don’t worry about it. Did you eat?”

“Did he try to fight you? Why were you against the door?”

“No. Nothing like that. Again, did you eat?”

“Yes Hassian I ate, and I read through your notebook, I didn’t know you were such a prolific writer. I did as you asked, and grabbed those two poems you asked me to grab, they’re tucked away in my notepad. I can also show you what I’ve written as well if you want. Perhaps you can answer some questions I have too.”

“Sure let’s head back inside.” Hassian said as he guided me back inside his grove. We spent the next half an hour sharing kisses, and Hassian poured over my writing. He was impressed and blushed when he read the song I wrote earlier this morning.

He ate his breakfast in record time before we headed out to do some chapaa hunting. We kissed and frolicked around in the fields of Bahari Bay, which got some strange looks from fellow humans, but it didn’t bother us any.

Between us, we managed to hunt down about 20 chapaas and we processed them before heading back to Hassian’s grove to clean the meat and hides. Hassian packaged all the meat and left me a few steaks as payment and we split the hides. I then washed off my hands, thankfully I managed not to get any blood on my clothes. Hassian packed all of the meat inside of his backpack and pulled it onto his back. He had to deliver the meat to the Inn. He pulled me against him, his hands on my hips.

“I think this is where we part ways for the rest of the day, my huntress. I love you. We’ll have to do this again, soon.” Hassian said as he leaned in to kiss my lips. We kissed passionately for a few moments before Hassian released me.

“I love you Hassian.”

“I love you too. I will see you later.” Hassian said, as we made our way to the door. Hassian walked with me until we hit the main path and we parted ways. I opted to head to the north side of Bahari Bay to collect sweet leaf, and dari clove. I didn’t realize a few hours had passed, just exploring when I heard a voice call out to me.

“Corinth!” I looked around to find who was calling my name and my eyes met those of Kenyatta’s.

“Oh Kenyatta! What’s up girl?” I said, as I plucked some sweet leaf before I started making my way toward Kenyatta, but she put her hand up to stop me.

“I’ll come over to you, I need to get some sweet leaf too.”

“Oh, okay. I have some chapaa steaks to cook up for dinner tonight.”

“So, how was your date with Hassian? You’re in different clothes, so I’m assuming he probably took that dress off with his teeth…right?”

“It was me, who took off the dress, but last night and this morning was amazing, if you know what I mean?”

“Ooh, girl, that will explain why you’re walking funny.” Kenyatta said as she launched into a full belly laugh. “I’m assuming he took bo-“ My face flushed and my heart began racing in my ears.

“Yes. Yes, he did.” I said quickly interrupting Kenyatta who raised an eyebrow at me.

“You really let Hassian put his…in your…”

“Yes Kenyatta! Let’s get out of here before we start drawing attention to ourselves.”

This made Kenyatta bust out in a roaring belly laugh that I swore echoed off the cliffsides of Proudhorn Pass. She pulled me along the path going towards the outskirts. “I want details.”

I rolled my eyes and recounted the events from the night before and this morning as we walked down the path, collecting sweet leaf, mushrooms and the rare dari clove.

Kenyatta listened and occasionally asked questions as she seemed intrigued by my story. We eventually made our way back towards Beachcomber’s Cove we both collected shells, and oysters to go with the steaks I had in my backpack. I had a layer of sweat over my body.

“Come on, I know a place where we can set up camp for the night. You’re still sore, huh?”

“A little, the more walking we do, the more taking a dip in the water sounds amazing.”

“Oh, that’s right, I was going to teach you how to swim,” Kenyatta said, as we came face to face with a cliff wall. “You up for climbing?”

“Yeah, I’m down.” I said, as Kenyatta started climbing up the wall. I followed her up, to the second-highest spot that was fairly protected by the wind. Kenyatta took her tent out of her bag and spread it out on the ground. The sun was setting and had dipped below the mountains causing tall shadows of the mountains to creep slowly over the valley, like a precursor to the impending night.

I helped Kenyatta set up the tent. It was large enough for four people. I began setting up my bed, but Kenyatta set up her bedroll before she looked at me.

“You don’t have to sleep on the ground. My bedroll is large enough to accommodate both of us. You might appreciate my body heat after we go for a midnight swim.” Kenyatta said as her voice dropped to a husky, seductive tone, that made me want to bite my lip. I looked around, I saw nobody but us.

“Hm…fine,” I said, and Kenyatta’s jaw dropped. I looked at her questionably. “What?”

“You’re fine, with everything I have planned tonight? I mean I know you and Hassian fucked and all but—"

“You’re not the only one curious about that kiss we shared yesterday. I need to learn all the ways to please a woman too. I think you’ll find that I’m a willing apprentice, accomplice, and lover.” I said which caused Kenyatta’s face to turn a deeper shade of red.

“Fucking eh Corinth, right to the point, why don’t you get some stone and iron to build a cooking spit, and I’ll start getting the other sides ready to eat.” I simply nodded and set off climbing down the cliff that overlooked the beach.

The beach was unusually quiet tonight. Both the moons were full, giving me enough light as I set out to gather stone and iron to set up the cooking spit to cook the oysters and steaks. It didn’t take me long to gather the required materials and I ended up getting some gold and rare sapphire out of it, so that was something.

I quickly set up the cooking spit and started the fire, before I oiled the cast iron Dutch oven before setting the steaks inside of it. Kenyatta had managed to take out some bread, stuffed mushrooms, and some petite fives out of her bag and I narrowed my eyes at them. “Did Reth happen to give you those too?” I asked, and Kenyatta laughed.

“Yeah, why?”

“He gave Hassian some too, for our date.” This made Kenyatta bust out laughing even harder.

“Reth, you sneaky boy. Here, season the steaks with this,”

“I will,” I said as I unscrewed the glass container and sprinkled some of the seasoning upon the steaks before flipping them and seasoning the other side.

“What’s the deal with you and Reth though? I thought he would’ve been the first one to seal the deal. Did he get cold feet?”

“He wants me to have some experience under my belt first.”

“Oh, so he’s totally cool with you having multiple partners too?”

“Everyone seems to be, I don’t know about you and Nai’o though. If we explored our relationship further, would he be angry?”

“Well he’s already kissed you, I figured I’d see what all the fuss was about.” Kenyatta said, as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Besides, a little birdie told me his family is bringing dinner over for you tomorrow since you two are getting closer and all that.”

I could sense her jealousy. “Kenny, I don’t want to—”

I was suddenly pushed against the rock wall, pinned there with Kenyatta’s body flush up against mine, my eyes widened with shock. “Cori, I want you, Nai’o doesn’t have to know, it’ll be our little secret, okay? But now that I got you where I want you…” Kenyatta said, as she leaned forward and touched her lips to mine. The kiss grew passionate and consumed both of us in lust. I was nearly swept away, I had to pull away before the chapaa steaks burned. My lips tingled, and everywhere Kenyatta touched felt like electrified.

“The steaks, Kenny…” I said and Kenyatta’s eyebrows lifted in surprise as she let me go to tend to the steaks.

“After we eat, let’s go for a swim. I did promise to teach you.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a plan,” I said, as I flipped the steaks over and finding them done, I placed them on some wooden plates. I then threw in some oysters in the grease from the steaks and threw in a bit of butter as well. It didn’t take long for the oysters to cook.

We sat down and ate, enjoying the food, and each other’s company. I threw all the dirty dishes into my bag, and we made our way down to the beach where I made quick work of the dishes while Kenyatta looked for the dragon’s beard peat moss she needed. I then quickly got into my white skirt and crop top after putting the dishes back into Kenyatta’s bag and climbed down the wall carefully, while barefoot.

I then walked around the edge of the beach, picking up shells, and catching a few striped shell snails, and purple spine shell crabs. I heard footsteps approach me from behind before I felt hands envelop my waist. “Ever been skinny dipping?”

“Skinny dipping? I don’t believe so. What is needed to do that?” I asked, turning my head to look at Kenyatta. Kenyatta seemed to laugh at my question.

“Nothing, as in, you don’t need any clothes on or anything. We just swim naked.”

“Oh, I see.” I said as I tossed my bag off my shoulder and tossed it upon the beach. I then turned around. “Would you like to do the honors of un—” My eyes caught sight of Kenyatta’s completely naked body and I could feel the heat encroaching my face, as my jaw dropped, my mouth agape. I was speechless. Her frame was curvier than my own, her breasts were voluptuous, marked with two large dark purple areolas that pointed straight up at me and she had a mound of jet-black pubic hair in between her legs. I could feel my own breasts strain against the fabric of the crop top I wore. My heart threatened to beat out of my chest.

“Undressing you? Why, I thought you’d never ask.” Kenyatta said, as she walked up to me, I raised my hands over my head as her hands closed on the bottom of my tank top. “You know, it’ll be the first time I’ve seen a human naked.” Kenyatta said with one smooth pull, my crop top was lifted up and over my head and arms. “I’m jealous of Hassian because he got to see all of this before I did.” She then lowered her head to my left nipple. “But you’re mine tonight.” As she took my nipple into her mouth. “Light brown nipples, gorgeous breasts. Fuck Corinth, you are literally sex on legs.” Kenyatta purred, as she wrapped her arms around me, bringing our bodies together.

The illicit contact has my head spinning with lust. Kenyatta’s hands smoothed down the length of my back as her lips moved to my right nipple to give it the same attention my left did. Her hands slid underneath the waistband of my skirt to cup handfuls of my ass before peeling my skirt off of me. My clothes were now floating at the top of the tide pool we were both standing in. She pulled away as she then got down on her knees to stare directly at my womanhood. “No hair huh? Interesting.” She then began exploring me with her fingers, just my labia.

“I can grow hair down there, I just prefer having things smooth and clean down there.” I moaned out as Kenyatta touched my clit.

“You have a clit too. Nice. We should probably find an area where the water gets a bit deeper, it’ll be better to teach you.”

Somehow in the haze of lust I found myself in, I managed to nod my head and pull myself away from Kenyatta as I stepped further into the water. Soon I was waist-deep in the water with Kenyatta by my side.

“There’s a deep drop off a little ahead. I want you to kick your legs around and wave your arms along the surface of the water, like this.” Kenyatta said, as she bent her knees and lowered her body up to her shoulders in the water and mimicked the motion I should be doing, once I hit the drop off. I nodded and continued moving forward, the water becoming deeper and deeper until the ground seemingly disappeared under my feet and it seemed there was something strong pulling my legs down. Soon I found myself fully submerged and the water bubbled around me before my sight went black, and the sound zeroed to a deafening silence before I reappeared on the beach. “Corinth!”

“I’m here,” I said, and Kenyatta spun around in the water quickly at the sound of my voice with a shocked look on her face. “I got pulled in by some strange force. I don’t fully understand it. I felt my body just sink like a lead weight.”

“That’s…weird, I take it that this has happened before?”

“Yeah, in my pond back on my plot when I ventured out a bit too far, the same thing happened.”

“Interesting, I’m in the deep end, walk out to me again and I can see if I can hold you up.”

“Kenyatta, I don’t want you drowning yourself trying to teach me how to swim when it’s obvious I’m not meant to do it.”

“Can we at least try? You should wrap your arms around me too, just in case.”

“Okay, I’ll give it another shot, perhaps humans weren’t meant to swim.”

“I highly doubt that one Cori, I won’t let you go. I promise.” Kenyatta said, trying to reassure me. I shrugged and entered the water again. I made my way out to Kenyatta who held out her hand toward me. We made eye contact as I stepped off the ledge and into the deep water. There was that pull, but it wasn’t as pronounced as before. “See? Told you I had you.”

“Let me go once, I want to see what happens.”

“Okay, suit yourself?” Kenyatta said, hesitation laden in her voice as she let me go, and I kicked my legs hard to try to fight the force pulling me down. It seemed to work for a moment before the force pulled me down harder than I could keep up, but Kenyatta wrapped her arms around me. “Oh shit! You weren’t exaggerating, I think I got you though. Kick with me.”

Kenyatta also began kicking her legs and the imaginary lead weight feeling threatening to bring me down seemed to dissipate with every kick of our legs. I smiled at Kenyatta. “Thanks,”

“Good, now I’m going to let you go and I want you to wave your arms back and forth in the water as if you’re a bird slowly flapping its wings.”

“Like this?” I asked, as I began gently waving my arms back and forth.

“Yes. Perfect. I’m letting go, you ready?”

I nodded and I felt Kenyatta release me and I was able to fight against the force threatening to pull me down. “It’s working,” I said, as I kicked a bit harder to keep my head and shoulders above the surface.

“Good, now lean forward, push yourself through the water using your hands and feet, like this,” Kenyatta said as she began moving past me out into the deep water. I mimicked her motion and found the force trying to pull me under started to become too much.

“Kenny, I—can’t. I’m trying.”

“Corinth you got this. See that Island out there? Let’s try to swim to it.”

“I’ll try, whatever this is pulling me down isn’t making it easy.”

“It doesn’t seem to affect me, so why don’t you wrap your arms around my shoulders, and I’ll swim us over to the island.”

“Okay.” I said as I followed Kenyatta’s directions and wrapped my arms around the woman’s shoulders. She swam us to the island but stopped us short, where we both could touch but the water covered our nipples. Kenyatta made eye contact with me and the double moonlight reflected off the waves and it was like looking at illuminated globes of the silkiest chocolate. Swirling and ebbing with the waves. She was mesmerizing me at this moment. I thrust myself at her and mashed my lips to hers. She kissed me back, and soon we were consumed, set on fire by our lust for each other.

My hands explored her body, starting with her breasts. Kenyatta thrust her fingers into my hair, my fingers fell all over her skin and fell upon her nipples where I rolled the peaks between my fingers. “Fuck, Corinth, let’s get on land. I can love you properly there.” Kenyatta said as she grabbed my hands and led us out of the water and onto the island. We climbed some cliffs, before Kenyatta grabbed my ankle and pulled me to her. She climbed up on top of me before attacking my lips.

Our naked bodies began moving against each other as we kissed, and our hips began moving against each other, seeking the friction we desperately desired, but instead, I felt a hand down there, exploring me. Kenyatta’s lips left mine to explore the rest of my body. My head leaned back, hanging over the edge of the cliff we were lying upon and I saw a light up at the beach. I thought it was a lantern bug, but realized it was a lantern and Hodari sat next to that light, with his goggles on. Granted everything was upside down, but he had a pretty good seat.

I raised my eyebrow before I felt one of Kenyatta’s fingers enter me, as her thumb strummed on my clit and I let out a moan. I was wondering if I should tell Kenyatta about our voyeur. Her hot tongue on my right nipple quickly short-circuited my thoughts. She licked her way over to my left nipple and my fingers weaved into her wet hair to massage her scalp. I felt so dizzy, perhaps it was the blood pooling in my head

“Can I taste you? I bet you taste so divine.” Kenyatta asked and I managed to pull my head up to look at her.

“Mm, yes, but first, look at the beach.”

“Hm, why?” Kenyatta then saw what I had seen. “Hm…interesting, have you ever eaten a girl out before?”

I shook my head. “No, but I’ve been eaten out before, I’m a fast learner though.”

“Good, scoot down so your head isn’t hanging off the edge, if Hodari came to see a show, let’s make it a good one eh?” Kenyatta said, as I repositioned myself on the top of the cliff and her knees straddled my face. In my face was her glistening pussy, resembling a deep purple lily touched by the morning dew. I could feel my mouth water with anticipation to taste her. I wrapped my arms around Kenyatta’s hips and I dove right in. Kenyatta moaned immediately, it was erotic and immediately tickled my ears and head with delight.

The taste was something I had tasted before, but I couldn’t figure out where though. Why did this taste so familiar and arousing? Then it hit me, this was the taste of Majiri. I tasted Hassian, so yes, it was familiar. It was addicting.

I found myself in a rhythm of whirling my tongue around Kenyatta’s clit and when I got tired of that, I’d fuck her with my tongue. The more I did this, the harder Kenyatta’s clit would become. I wanted to see what her pussy felt like so pushed in the pointer finger of my right hand into her pussy. It went in with little resistance, she was wet, and hot. She moaned again as I pushed my middle finger into her and tried to mimic the movements Hassian had done to me.

“Girl you’re asking for it now.” Then she began licking my clit like it was her favorite ice cream causing me to moan back in response. She too, stuck two fingers inside of me and began matching my movements. Something in my head clicked and I decided to suck her clit in between my lips and rapidly flick my tongue over it while I worked my fingers inside of her, she immediately lifted her head up and began thrusting her hips

“FUCK! CORINTH! I’M--FUCK!” I watched as her body convulsed, but I didn’t bother to stop instead I latched onto her clit like a newborn babe on its mother’s tit. That was when she squirted all over my face, head and hair. Kenyatta was a convulsing mess above me, screaming in pleasure. I continued sucking her clit until she had come down from her high before pulling off to give her a break. “Fuck Corinth, how the fuck did you learn to do that? I didn’t even know I could do that.”

“I just had an idea and went with it. I wasn’t expecting you to squirt all over my face though…” I said as I wiped some of the ejaculate off my face and tasted it. She tasted positively divine. I had tasted my own and her tasted ten times better than mine did. “It’s fine, though, you taste great. I don’t mind being covered in your essence.”

“I squirted?!? You…fuck Corinth, I…I didn’t think I could blush anymore and here you are proving me wrong.” Kenyatta said breathlessly, as she rested her forehead on my hip. “Now I wanna see if you can squirt…”

“I can, Hassian and I established this.”

“Mm…I’m gonna get off you and focus on you. I’m still recovering from that orgasm you gave me.”

“Aw…I wanted to play a bit more.” I said as I slapped Kenyatta’s ample derriere. Kenyatta half yelped and half moaned as she moved to where her head was in between my legs and she went to town, trying the trick I pulled on her as well as pushing two fingers inside of me and fingerfucked me.

My body erupted in orgasm. “Kenyatta! Yes!” She then curled her fingers inside of me, the tension built up inside of my body was released and Kenyatta lapped everything my body gave her.

“Fuck, that was beautiful, and you taste so sweet too.” Kenyatta brought me down from my high. “Have you tasted yourself?”

“No.”

“Hm…” Kenyatta said as she crawled up my body and kissed me. I could taste myself on her lips before she licked my forehead. “Damn, you taste way better to me than I do.”

“It’s the same for me. We both taste sweet, but yours is like a strong floral honey if I were to compare it anything.” I said playing with Kenyatta’s hair.

“Same. You taste like this clover honey I had once in BC. That shit was good spread on some toast.” Kenyatta said as she crawled off me.

“What do we do now? Should we head back to shore…wait, is Hodari still there?” I asked, as I sat up and spun my head around to look at the beach for Hodari. I saw him walking back up the path that led to the beach.

“No, he’s walking back up towards his house,” Kenyatta said, as she offered her hand to help me up from the ground. She looked at the beach as well and watched Hodari walk up the path.

“We’re not going to go back to Kilima without him saying something, you know that right?” I said, making eye contact with the beauty in front of me.

She shrugged. “I’m just worried about him going to Hassian and blabbing his mouth. Those two are close…like, I’d be surprised if those two weren’t sneaking around.”

“Huh? Hassian already knows about our kiss, I’m honest and open with him. Hassian was cool with it up until I told him that Hodari and I kissed. He couldn’t even focus on cooking the eggs after I told him that, then Hodari came by and was acting weird. Like he was jealous this morning. You think they’ve done shit together? I mean I had my suspicions earlier to be fair.” I said as I carefully made my way down the cliffs until I joined Kenyatta down at the bottom.

“It gets lonely out here, and men, they get sexually frustrated to the point to where they’re willing to get that release by fucking each other. You might want to talk to Hassian about that, especially if he didn’t mind you and I kissing but lost his shit once Hodari’s name came up. That’s not a normal response, and you should be suspicious.”

“I will, but if something is going on between the two of them, I wouldn’t mind. I really wouldn’t.”

Kenyatta raised an eyebrow at me. “Look at you…being all grown up and shit.”

“What? I’m not a child Kenyatta, I didn’t appear as a child either, I came in as a fully fleshed adult.”

“A sexy one at that. Are you ready to head back?”

“Yeah, you got me?”

“I’ll always have you Corinth, do you even need to ask?”

“Okay. Just had to be sure.” I said as we entered the water and as soon as the water started getting deep I wrapped my arms around Kenyatta’s shoulders as we both made our way back to shore. I made sure to rinse my face and hair in the ocean once we made it back. We then gathered our clothes up from the tidal pool and made our way back to the camp site.

I gathered some dry clothes out of my backpack and got dressed, Kenyatta did the same. I looked over at Kenyatta, and she looked exhausted. “You look like you could use some sleep.”

“Yeah, I could. Let me brush my teeth, did you need to do the same, I brought some fresh water with me.”

“Yeah, I could probably do that too, just so you know, I probably won’t be able to sleep. Call it Embra’s curse on humankind.” I said as I ran a brush through my wet hair.

“Like seriously? You can’t sleep?”

I nodded. “Yeah, if it wasn’t for the sleeping potions Hodari keeps giving me, I wouldn’t sleep.”

“Oh, what was kissing Hodari like? Is he aggressive and domineering? I would think he would be.”

“Well I haven’t made out with the man Kenyatta, it was a gentle chaste kiss. Basically, what happened was I was lamenting about the situation between him and Najuma, and I was about to leave to go back to Kilima when he told me to wait, and he pinned me against the wood frame of the entrance to the workshop and kissed me.”

“Oh Maji, that sounds so hot. Girl, you should’ve slipped him a bit of tongue…your kiss is like Bête noire…”

“Bete noire? What the fuck is that?”

“It’s something that can’t be defended against or defeated. Your kiss, those lips, are the definition of that. One kiss and you’re hooked, I swear.”

“Oh like Kryptonite?”

“What’s Kryptonite?”

“In my time, we had fictional superheroes, one such superhero was Superman, he had all these abilities, he could fly, had superhuman strength, heat and X-ray vision…”

“X-ray? What’s that?”

“Well we had machine we used in medical settings to see into the body. It was commonly used to see broken bones or any abnormalities within the bone structure, like bone spurs, arthritis, or even bone cancer.”

“That sounds scary, but the equipment sounds useful. Anyway, you were saying about this kryptonite…”

“Superman had one weakness, something he couldn’t control or defeat, and that was kryptonite. It took away his abilities if he was around it, and he became a mortal man with normal abilities.”

“Yeah, Kryptonite, you’re like sexual kryptonite, you take away our ability to act appropriately when you’re in the same room with any of us. I don’t think it affects the older majiri as it does to us who are closer to your age. Anyway, I’m curious about what other medical advances you had in your time.”

“I don’t even know how old I am, to be honest. But going back to the conversation, we had CT scans also called CAT scans which was an x-ray machine on steroids, they could take three-dimensional images of organs, and whole sections of the body. Then we had MRI machines which a nurse or doctor would inject a magnetic dye into your veins, which would light up your body inside the machine and they could see into the body that way as well. We had EEG’s that could monitor our brain activity, to see if there anything abnormal, then EKGs which monitor how well our heart was pumping. Other more in-depth procedures had to do with other organs as well. They had blood tests, urine tests, all kinds of things to monitor our various levels like blood cell count, if we had ketones or proteins, or crystals in our urine…even with the plethora of knowledge we had there was still so much we had to learn about the human body.”

“Hm…I mean we have urine and blood tests, but none of the other things you mentioned. Although there have been discoveries of these types of machines that you mentioned. We’ve just use herbs for the past…like millennia? Man, human technology seems so cool and useful.”

“It does, doesn’t it.” I said as I let out a breath, I then got my toothbrush and toothpaste out of my bag. “Can I use your canteen to wet my toothbrush?”

“Sure hun. Let me get mine sorted first.” Kenyatta said as she wet her toothbrush before handing me her canteen. I wet my toothbrush before putting some toothpaste on it before I started brushing my teeth.

We both finished getting ready for bed, but instead of getting to the tent, I sat down on the edge of the cliff with my legs hanging off the edge that looked out to the ocean and the ruins in the distance. Kenyatta soon joined me after she finished brushing her teeth. “You know what I want right now? I want some cannabis. My back and shoulders hurt. I left all that back in my room at home.”

“I have some joints if you want, Chayne gave me five. I don’t mind giving you one if you need it.”

“Oh hell yeah but we can share one, I mean might as well since we kissed and shit. I don’t want to burn through your supply. I gotta say though, I love Chayne, he’s like the cool hippie father I wish I had. The number of times we got high together when I was a teenager and now as an adult…so glad he’s my mentor now.”

I laughed as I rummaged through my bag and found the sack that contained the joints Chayne had given me. I took one out. “I got that vibe from Chayne as well too. He’s the one to get me high for the first time when I was checking out the Dragon Temple. I don’t know, Kenli strikes me as a stoner too, at least back in his younger days. He might not smoke anymore, but I’m sure at one point in his life he partook in the occasional joint.”

“Oh if he was, I’m sure my mother made him give it up. That bitch is the ultimate joy sucker I swear. The only thing that gets my father to smile these days is his garden and a good meal, but lately, he’s been obsessed with sandwiches. I mean they’re good in a pinch but I don’t want it every meal day in and day out.”

“Eshe does seem like she always has a stick up her ass…” I said as I grabbed a stick and stuck the end of it in the fire before bringing it to the joint and lighting it.

“I had a lighter, you didn’t have to light a stick…”

“It’s fine, I got it…” I said as I inhaled and as soon as the joint was fully lit, I pulled the joint away and handed it to Kenyatta who took it as I put out the stick and flung it off the cliff. I held the smoke into my lungs fully until they were screaming for oxygen before letting it all out. The THC hit my bloodstream and must have breached the blood-brain barrier because my vision took on the fishbowl effect almost immediately. “Fuck, I’m already high.”

“Lightweight.” Kenyatta muttered as she took in a huge drag of the joint before pulling the joint away and handing it back to me in which I took it and took another drag off it. This time I coughed and held the joint out for Kenyatta to partake of it again. She blew her smoke out before she grabbed the joint from me again. “This blend he gave you is more potent than the shit I have. I’m starting to feel it now.”

“Is it working through?”

“Like a dream. Ah…” Kenyatta said as she took in another drag.

“Good.” I said, as I leaned back and rested on my hands and watched the stars in the sky. “You know, the sky here is so vibrant, it's not like that back in my day from what I remember. You couldn’t see any of the stars, not with all the city lights and Vegas was known for their lights.”

“Hm…” Kenyatta hummed before she launched into a coughing fit and she held the half-smoked joint to me which I took. I took another drag before handing the joint back to Kenyatta, who was still recovering from her coughing fit. Her eyes were glazed over and when we made eye contact she busted out laughing.

“What? What’s so funny?”

“Is this real life right now? Are we really on top of a cliff getting high right now? Your eyes are so glazed over right now, how high are you right now Corinth? Be truthful!”

“Honesty is my policy, I’m higher than the tallest building on all of the Earth which was the Burj Khalifa in my time, I might be escaping into the atmosphere if I take another hit, but supposedly this stuff isn’t supposed to kill you…as I’ve heard "Life’s a bitch, then you die, so fuck the world, let’s get high."

“How tall was this building?” Kenyatta said as she took the joint from my hand and took another drag.

“Over 2700 feet, I don’t know what that equates to your terminology or what you use to measure height and length.”

“We use the metric system, I think that sounds like the imperial system to me, I learned about it in elementary school, we use a lot terminology the ancient humans used, so what is that in meters?”

“Oh, see I lived in the United States, we used inches, feet, yards, and miles to measure length and height. Um, no idea, maybe over 800 meters…” This got another coughing fit out of Kenyatta. I patted her back as she handed the joint back to me. Which I partook once again of.

“Fuck, that’s nothing, I’m assuming you came from a time before flow, the buildings that have been discovered would’ve dwarfed that by…oh, ten times, at least.” I let out the smoke and handed the joint to Kenyatta. “Want me to finish it?” She asked, making eye contact with me. I nodded.

“Ten times? How is that even possible? The death zone as I’ve heard is 8000 meters which was 26,000 feet. The tallest mountain we had was Mount Everest and that was a bit over 29,000 feet. You’re telling me humans built buildings past this height? How’d they do it?” While I talked, Kenyatta finished the joint and flicked it off the cliff and it landed in a tide pool below.

“No idea, I wasn’t much into architecture myself, but the ancient humans were well ahead of us when it came to knowledge of all things. I think your race and the Grimalkins have been the only ones to achieve space exploration, and even then, you guys were leagues ahead of the Grimalkin. I think there may even be humans still out there…” Kenyatta said as she pointed up to the sky. “In places we can’t even imagine, Corinth. They probably don’t even know what happened here. I mean I’m sure you can imagine it, cause you’re human and all, the sky isn’t even the limit for you and your kind. You guys have seen things and done things that the majiri could only wish they could achieve.”

“Fuck, Kenyatta, you sound so fucking hot right now. You would put Jina to shame with what you just told me. I tried to explain all this to Jel and he laughed at me. I gave him a lesson on what was beyond Earth…”

“Corinth, I mean Jina’s a bit of a nerd but you two haven’t discussed this? Tell me what’s out there. I want to know.”

“Well I don’t have a telescope. I mean I could probably make one or give Sifuu the ingredients to make another one…”

“Wait you made a telescope? I mean I look through the Chayne’s telescope, and he’s shown me other planets…we don’t have names for them. There’s this big giant one with a red spot on it…”

“That’s Jupiter. Three earths can fit into that red spot you saw, it’s the biggest gas giant we have in our solar system.”

“There was one with beautiful rings too, what did you call that one?”

“Saturn. It’s not as big as Jupiter but it’s still larger than Neptune and Uranus.”

“Ur-anus?”

“Urawhnus. Not your-anus. Saturn is the second largest gas giant.”

“Wow. Like I said, your race is way ahead of us when it came to this shit. Most majiri still think the sun revolves around the planet even though it’s the opposite.” Kenyatta said as she let out a yawn. “Oh Dragon, it’s gotta be getting late, look how high the moons are.”

“They weren’t always that way…”

“Huh?”

“The moons, they used to be one single larger moon.”

“What happened?”

“Humans found flow on the moon, and ended up blowing it up in half in their search to find more.”

“How do you know that?”

“Well I remember there only being one moon in the sky and Embra showed me how it happened, but we can discuss that some other time if you want. You look tired.”

"And high, tired, and high.”

“Yeah let's get you to bed Kenyatta. I’ll cuddle you until you pass out then I’ll go foraging for breakfast for us.”

“Mm…that sounds so romantic. Let’s go.”

Kenyatta and I ended up inside the tent where we cuddled on her sleeping pad until I could hear the steady rhythm of her breathing and knew for sure she was in a deep sleep. I somehow slipped out of Kenyatta’s grasp and got up to go explore the beach. I gathered more shells for Jel and Tish, and oysters for breakfast, since we went through all the ones we foraged for dinner tonight.

I foraged the beach to Coral Shores collecting all the oysters, shells, coral, and dragon’s peat moss I could find, and I took one last look around and saw something red glowing up on the cliff behind Statue Garden. So, I took my time, and paced myself as I scaled up the cliffside up to where the mysterious glow was. As I pushed myself up to look over the cliff wall to the small ledge, my jaw dropped. Before me was the most beautiful red lily I had laid my eyes upon, it glowed brighter but was similar to the midnight lily Hassian had told me to fetch for him.

I quickly pulled myself up and over the wall, out of breath but relieved I made it. I quickly got on my feet and plucked the lily. I secretly wondered if Kenyatta would like it. I held it to my nose and breathed in the scent, it was exactly how Jel’s bath oil smelled. I tucked it away in my backpack and took out my glider. I took a deep breath, and jumped off the cliff, I safely glided my way off the cliff and back onto the beach.

Man, I would have to thank Najuma in the morning for this Godsend. It was a game changer. I’d have to still climb up the cliffs, but at least I had a fun way of getting down in a hurry now.

It was still dark out, but I knew Hassian, Hodari, and Najuma were asleep, and I didn’t feel like interrupting their sleep, so I decided against it, although I did miss Hassian. I decided to park my ass in the sand by the cliff Kenyatta decided to camp on, and take Ashura’s advice and admire my surroundings using the scenery as inspiration, I named the poem “Breathe".

I hear the sound
Echoes beneath
Angels and skylines meet
And I'm straining to reach
The light on the surface
Light on the other side
I feel the pages turning
I see the candle burning down
Before my eyes
Before my wild eyes
I feel you holding me tighter, I cannot see
When will we finally
Breathe?
Breathe, breathe
Breathe
Breathe, breathe
Breathe

And I feel the pages turning
I see the candle burning down
Before my eyes
Before my wild eyes
And I feel you holding me tighter, I cannot see
When will we finally

Breathe?
Breathe, breathe
Breathe
Breathe, breathe
Breathe
Breathe
Breathe, breathe
Breathe
Breathe, breathe
Breathe

Then I decided to write a song about Kenyatta and my experience with her, called “Electric Feel”.

All along the western front
People line up to receive
She got the power in her hand
To shock you like you won't believe
Saw her in the Amazon
With the voltage running through her skin
Standing there with nothing on
She gonna teach me how to swim

I said ooh girl
Shock me like an electric eel
Baby girl
Turn me on with your electric feel
I said ooh girl
Shock me like an electric eel
Baby girl
Turn me on with your electric feel

All along the eastern shore
Put your circuits in the sea
This is what the world is for
Making electricity
You can feel it in your mind
Oh you can do it all the time
Plug it in and change the world
You are my electric girl

I said ooh girl
Shock me like an electric eel
Baby girl
Turn me on with your electric feel
I said ooh girl
Shock me like an electric eel
Baby girl
Turn me on with your electric feel

Do what you feel now
Electric Feel now
Do what you feel now
Electric Feel now
Do what you feel now
Electric Feel now
Do what you feel now
Electric Feel now

I said ooh girl
Shock me like an electric eel
Baby girl
Turn me on with your electric feel
I said ooh girl
Shock me like an electric eel
Baby girl
Turn me on with your electric feel

However words came into my mind, they were Hassian’s words about him hearing my voice in the valley’s silence.

I'll shout it from the mountains
Let it float across the breeze
You're deep within my conscience
Oh you've made it to my dreams
I feel you in my bloodstream
You're in my DNA
Still every time you touch me
I don't know what to say

I didn’t know what to do with the lyrics I had down. My mind was blocked, but realized there was an orange hue glowing upon my skin and when I looked up, the sun was making its appearance with brilliant gold and red hues, causing the sky to look like it was on fire. It was beautiful.

It had been a while since I had watched the sunrise, and missed the simplicity of enjoying nature. I watched the sunrise until it was fully over the horizon before I got back onto my feet, brushing the sand off my bottom, and made my way back to top of the cliff to get a start on breakfast for Kenyatta and I.

Chapter Text

I had scaled the cliffs up to where the tent was, and I began to carefully shuck the oysters I had collected overnight. The sun’s light warmed me, comforting me in its presence on my skin as I shucked the 14 oysters I came across. What a day to be alive!

I grabbed butter from my backpack and set it on one of the rocks that made up the fireplace. I then relit the fire, using Kenyatta’s lighter, and set out to find a bit more firewood. It didn’t take long, and I had enough to make breakfast. I took out another couple chapaa steaks, if only I had some eggs, steak and eggs sounded so divine.

I got a pat of butter in the dutch oven and threw the steaks on. The loud sizzling of the steaks was enough to get Kenyatta to stir awake. I heard a groan come from the tent.

“Oh my Dragon, that smells so good.” I heard from the tent. A smile curved on my lips as I found Kenyatta’s seasoning mix and sprinkled that on the steaks. I then got my canteen of water and boiled some sweet leaf tea for the both of us.

Soon the steaks were ready and I got the oysters on as well as some morels I had tucked away in my bag. The tent flap was thrust out and Kenyatta came out. “Mm, so it wasn’t a dream last night was it? We really…”

“Yes Kenyatta. Breakfast is almost ready, why don’t you go enjoy this tea and relax.

Kenyatta narrowed her eyes at me. “Yes, Ma’am.” She said a bit of a bitter undertone mixed in with her words.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to come out harsh,”

“You’ve been up all-night babe, it’s okay to be a bit cranky.”

“I wish I could sleep, I’m not allowed to.”

“Why would Embra even want that?”

“She doesn’t want us to know what happened to us. Like a mother trying to shield their child from the harsh realities of the world. Sleeping puts us in a state that Embra can easily influence. Clearly I’m not like my fellow humans, I can remember parts of my past, while they can’t.”

“So Embra chose you basically. If she chose you, why doesn’t she allow you to sleep?”

“You think just because she chose me, I should get preferential treatment?”

“Well, yeah, that’s what being chosen means? Come on, if she’s going to stress you out with these visions of hers—”

“Theirs, both Maji and Embra are non-binary, they assume no gender.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. I always thought Embra was female, and Maji was male…”

“Nope. They don’t really care either way, so don’t feel bad for assuming their gender…”

“Okay…thanks I guess? You know, I think there might be something to these visions of yours Cori, like some actual truth with some visuals to make things easy to understand for you. Like the canvas…”

“Wait, how did you know about my visions? I haven’t told you—”

“I snuck in Chayne’s office and read through some of his journal…”

“Oh that explains a lot.” I said, as I scooped the oysters and mushrooms onto our plates that had our steaks on them.

“I’m sorry, I just…yeah, Chayne’s been trying to track down records, and has been trying to confirm these dreams of yours on your behalf. So, when some humans came in seeking medical help, I snuck into his office and read through some pages out of his journal, to see why he was running around, grabbing books off all the shelves. Was it right? Probably not, but I needed to know what got under his skin. He’s not the type to get frazzled you know?”

“I didn’t mean to do that to him.” I said, frowning.

“No, it’s nothing you did, you did what you were supposed to, you went to him for guidance. He’s the village’s Sage, that’s his job, he’s the one who speaks to Maji on behalf of our little village. I just know he’s been writing letters and trying to get to the bottom of this. I think it challenged his core beliefs and what he was taught. It’s like the tooth taker, you were hurt when you found out it was your dad who snuck a sack of fifty coins under your pillow and threw away the tooth after you lost it, you know?” Kenyatta said, as she stared out at the sea. I grabbed the plates and handed Kenyatta’s hers, along with a fork. She stared down at her plate.

“Wait, you guys believe in the tooth fairy too?”

“Duh, a lot of our traditions we’ve adopted came from what the ancient humans used to celebrate. We have the bi-yearly maji market, and the harvest festival, but it’s because it came from texts found saying the humans had markets where they sold food and goods and celebrated their bountiful harvests. We also celebrate the lunar new year, and at the end of this month, there’s going to be a spooky ball where we all dress up in a variety of costumes.”

“Like Halloween?”

“I guess? I bet you’re gonna tell me that this Halloween you remember falls on the last day of this month…”

“It’s October, right? There’s 31 days this month?”

“Corinth, you are literally doing my head in. We spell it differently probably but yes, it’s currently the 15th of Oktober. That’s O-k-t-o-b-e-r. The spooky ball falls on the 31st, yes.”

“Yeah we spelled ours O-c-t-o-b-e-r. So, do you guys even have your own celebrations or are all your celebrations derived from the ancient humans?”

“April 15th is Founders’ Day, it’s to commemorate the day the majiri founded the first city in Palia, or should I just call it Earth? Man, my mom would disown me if any of this conversation got back to her, I sound like a lunatic.”

“Kenyatta, you sound like you could use another joint, want me to get you one?” As I stabbed at a mushroom and popped it into my mouth.

“I’m certainly not high enough for this conversation, but no. I’m gonna take a raincheck on that though, I’m starving. Food looks great by the way.”

“Thank you, but yes, I should let you eat, then we can tear down camp and head out. I do have a dinner with the Daiya’s…speaking of which…” Kenyatta shot me a look of warning. I drew my lips in a thin line. “Sorry, forget it.”

“Later, let me eat.”

I nodded before taking a sip of my tea watching Kenyatta eat her food before diving into my own. Then I remembered the lily in my backpack but figured it’d be best that I give that to Kenyatta after she had a full belly.

Once we had our meal, Kenyatta offered to clean up the dishes this time. “Hey, I was out walking around last night, and saw this, figured you might like it.” I said, as I pulled out the heart drop lily and offered it to her. Her eyes widened in shock and jerked back viscerally like I was holding a bomb and not a sign of love.

“C-Corinth…you know what that means, right? I mean, I kind of rushed straight to pinned status last night…without even pinning you, I haven’t even fucked Nai’o yet and he has my pin…”

“Well, granted it’s a bit backward how this went, I’ll admit, but none of my encounters with any of the majiri I’m courting have exactly been a textbook example of what courtship should look like. I know I’m not majiri, I’m a human with a specific set of skills of seducing the pants off you all from what it seems. So what? This is a sign that I want to court you properly and make it official…”

“But, Nai’o…”

“Do you want this lily or not Kenyatta, my arm’s getting tired…we can talk about Nai’o after this. I promise.”

“Yes!” Kenyatta said, as she snatched the lily out of my awaiting hand. “I’d be a fucking fool if I didn’t accept it. You’re fucking amazing Corinth, like I’ve never met someone like you and I’m so glad I did. I feel so unworthy, especially after last night. This complicates things doesn’t it?” Kenyatta said, as she pulled the lily to her nose and inhaled its scent. “Oh Maji, I love the smell of these lilies.” She then twisted the stem off so there was just a three-inch segment left and tucked it behind her right ear. “I’ll wear it proud like a badge of honor.” Kenyatta said, as she walked up to me and took my lips in a passionate kiss.

It was so hard not to get lost in the kiss, but I knew we had to talk about Nai’o, so I was the first one to pull away. “Mm. Kenyatta, I love kissing you, but we need to talk about Nai’o.”

“I know. I really like him, and I don’t want to break his heart…”

“You don’t have to Kenyatta…I’m not the jealous type. I’ve always lived by the motto that people should live their lives the way they feel like they need to. I mean Nai’o has kissed me, we both know this, and because of that it got you curious about me. You don’t need to break things off with Nai’o. If you want I can talk to him.”

“Well, that’s the thing Corinth, when I found out he kissed you, I told him we should take a break. It was clear we were going stale. We hadn’t fucked, the relationship wasn’t going anywhere, we just didn’t have the time to sustain it, you know? He’s a virgin, I wanted to make his first experience special.”

“I don’t want to be his first experience either Kenyatta. You deserve to be that for him. You’ve known him a lot longer than I have. You guys grew up together.”

“I-I know, I just don’t know where we could go to do that, I can’t bring him to my house, and I can’t go to his, we’ll get caught.”

“What about the old boat house? Some lights and candles for ambiance, a sleeping pad, some sheets, Nai’o told me a story about how you guys shared your first kiss as teenagers there. Why not go back to the place where it all began, you know?”

“Fuck! Corinth that’s such a good idea, why didn’t I think about that? It’s perfect, it’s far away from both of our houses, and my mother never ventures out that way. She claims it's haunted.”

“Well, it sounds like you have preparations to make Kenyatta…”

“Yeah, I guess I do now, fuck, you’re a genius Corinth, seriously. I’ll figure out a way to thank you but can you do me a favor and send Nai’o to the boathouse when his parents leave. I know his parents are trying to set him up with you, so they’ll let him off his night chores to leave the two of you alone so you can get ‘better acquainted’.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, they tried to do that to him with another human, after he took a box of chocolates by mistake a few months ago. Nothing happened, he gave the chocolates back and left their plot and we hung out skipping rocks until he went back home.”

“That should’ve been your chance to hop on Nai’o’s cock.”

Kenyatta blushed. “I know, I know, trust me, I realized the error in my ways that night. We should tear down camp.”

“Yeah, let’s do it.” I said as I got up off the side of the cliff but Kenyatta then grabbed my cup and plate.

“I got the dishes, you focus on tearing down my tent.” Kenyatta said, as she put all the dirty dishes, into her backpack and slung it onto her pack. “Hang on, I just realized something, if Nai’o’s gonna be with me, what are you going to be doing? Sleeping?”

“Hopefully spending the night with Reth.” I said, bluntly, “He still owes me a pin and I’m supposed to meet him after dinner with the Daiyas. I hope he doesn’t flake out like he did with our last date.”

Kenyatta then laughed. “Reth and Corinth laying in her bed, F-U-C-K-I-N-G…I fucking ship it.”

“Mmhm…Kenyatta and Nai’o in the boathouse, doing the same damn fucking thing…”

She laughed as she began making her way down the cliff. I laughed as I began tearing down camp while she headed off to wash the dishes.

By the time we got everything packed up, it was probably a little past ten in the morning. We hit the path back to Kilima, laughing and talking when Hodari appeared with folded arms in front of the gate, blocking our way. Both Kenyatta and I shot each other knowing glances and paused, the three of us were at an impasse. Kenyatta and I wanting out, and Hodari, probably wanting details before he’d let us through. “Fuck, Hodari’s blocking our way out, why do you have to always be right?”

“Well I know how he is…nothing gets past him in Bahari Bay. Trust me, he got me in trouble with Ashura when I helped Reth out with a few errands here in the Bay. Let me handle this…”

“You sure you don’t want me to tag behind you?”

“I mean you can if you want, but you should leave the talking to me.”

“He looks so hot standing there like that though.” I shot her a knowing glance and chuckled as I walked down the path, closing the distance between us and Hodari.

I figured, I’d ruffle the man’s feathers. “Good Mornin’ Hodari. Did you enjoy the show last night?”

“Corinth, I’d be lyin’ if I said I didn’t, but I’m here to ask you what the hell you think you’re doing?” His eyes then glanced at Kenyatta, and his eyes softened when he saw the heartdrop lily in her hair.

“I’m exploring my relationships,”

“And Hassian’s okay with this?”

“Yeah, I’m open with him, Hodari. He knows everything, I mean not about last night, but I’m sure you filled him in, didn’t you?” I asked, just as a group of five of my fellow humans came through the gate of Bahari Bay, they all shouted greetings to Kenyatta and Hodari as they ran past, I heard murmurs about hunting a disco bambi. Both majiri said their greetings, as they were red faced from embarrassment. “Look, let’s have this conversation behind closed doors, so I can spare the both of you the embarrassment of anyone overhearing.” I said, as I turned towards the direction of Hodari’s house.

“Oh t’hell with it! I can’t fight this shit, anymore. Sorry Kenyatta.” I heard Hodari mutter, before I felt a strong grasp on my upper arm and I was spun around, and the front of my body met the hard body of Hodari, his hand was on the back of my head as Hodari brought his lips to mine in a bruising kiss that was full of passion. Any shock I had had, quickly dissipated and I simply melted as Hodari kissed me with reckless abandon. We started a war to see who could explore each other’s mouth first.

“Holy fucking shi—”

“HEY! WHAT THE HELL!”

“Hassian? WAIT! NO! HEY!!!” I could hear Kenyatta scream. Suddenly I was pushed away from Hodari with such ferocity I was knocked straight on my ass, my breath went along with it.

“Corinth! HASSIAN NO!”

When I looked up Hassian had already landed a punch square on Hodari’s jaw, knocking the man right into the grass next to me. I quickly gathered myself and shot up to my feet to put myself in between an irate Hassian, and a dazed Hodari. Kenyatta was right there with me, trying to help me push Hassian away and prevent him from doing any more damage than what had already been done. It was like trying to move a stubborn Ormuu however.

“HASSIAN! STOP!” Kenyatta yelled.

“Get off me!” Hassian growled, as he tried to push Kenyatta away.

“Hassian! Listen to me, get a hold of yourself. You need to calm down.” I pleaded, but Hassian shoved my hands off him as he looked at me. He was angry, the angriest I had ever seen him.

“OH CALM DOWN? How’d you react if you saw what I saw?”

“I wouldn’t care, I’d love you regardless! You said you wouldn’t be jealous if I explored my other relationships Hassian! You even fucking made a pact with Jel and Reth that they wouldn’t touch me anymore before we had a chance to consummate our relationship. Was that all lies?”

Hassian was breathless. “I did not lie to you! It wasn’t you I was jealous over!”

“What the fuck?” Kenyatta asked, in disbelief and she took a step back.

I lost my shit at this point, I was full of adrenaline and now, confused. “THEN WHAT THE FUCK WAS ALL OF THIS!?!” I screamed at Hassian. He blinked rapidly and tried to clear his ears.

“Was it necessary to scream?” Hassian asked, as he looked at me dismissively. “My ears are ringing.”

Suddenly we heard someone laughing a loud belly laugh. At this point I had forgotten about Hodari and when I looked over at him, he was sitting up, his elbows resting on his knees before he wiped the blood off the corner of his mouth before he spit a ball of blood out of his mouth.

“Calm down Corinth, before you cause a fucking rockslide with that voice of yours.” He got up off his feet and dusted the dirt and grass off his leather vest and pants. “My house, now. Before we draw even more attention to ourselves.” Hodari said, as he began moving towards his house. I followed him, as did Hassian, but Kenyatta paused in her place.

I turned to her. “You coming?”

“No, I’m gonna leave you to it…I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

“This kind of involves you now too Kenyatta, whether you wanted to be a part of it or not.” Hassian said, as he tried to stretch his right hand. “Fuck my hand hurts.”

“No shit sherlock, you punched Hodari in the fucking jaw.” I muttered, “I’m surprised you didn’t break your hand on that chiseled jaw he has.”

“Would it be better if I had?” Hassian asked, and I glanced back at him.

“I don’t know what to say to that. I’m still in shock.”

“Guys I really need to head back to Kilima. I got to be at the desk at city hall. I’m already late as it is...” Kenyatta said, still showing hesitation.

Hassian and I looked at each other. I knew I didn’t want to face Eshe’s wrath anymore more than Hodari or Hassian did. “Go Kenyatta, I’m sure what we discuss will probably make it back to you in some way.” Hassian said, as he rolled his eyes knowing it was probably going to be me that was going to spill the beans.

“Okay, thanks. See you around Corinth.” Kenyatta said, as she quickly booked it out of the gate. Part of me wanted to follow her, but I knew Hassian and Hodari weren’t going to let me. I drew in a deep breath before I continued on to Hodari’s house.

Once both Hassian and I had made it inside, I unloaded what was on my mind. “What the fuck was that back there? Will someone please let me in on this sick joke you both played on me?”

“It wasn’t a joke Corinth, granted I could’ve handled myself better, but when I saw you kissing Hodari, I saw red.”

“Hassian I thought you were cool with me exploring my—”

‘It wasn’t you! It was Hodari! Hodari made it seem like he wasn’t interested in you!”

“Hassian…that wasn’t my—” Hodari tried to interject as he put water in a kettle and put it on the stove.

“Shut it! Are you interested in courting her or not? Otherwise I’m just wasting my time. All that shit you were talking last night at the meeting just lies?”

Hodari, it was the first time I saw him bashful, his face red with embarrassment. “Well, she hasn’t given me a box of chocolates or a lily Hass, honestly it’s been me bein’ unable to control myself when ‘round her.” He then turned to me. “Corinth, the meeting he's talking about last night. I sent letters to all your love interests and asked them to meet me at the Inn. There I made my interest in you known, well minus Kenyatta, cause I didn’t think she liked you like that until last night.”

“What happened last night?”

Hodari smirked. “You missed one hell of a show Hass. That’s all I’m gonna say…”

Hassian looked at me. “You and Kenyatta…”

I let out a breath. “She taught me how to swim last night, then we…ate each other out.”

Hassian pulled his eyebrows together, before he took off his quiver and bow and set them down before he sat at Hodari’s dining room table. “Now I’m the one who doesn’t know what to say?”

“You’re not angry are you?”

“No. I didn’t lie when I said I didn’t mind you exploring your relationships with the others, I just wasn’t expecting Hodari to act on it so soon.”

“Look Corinth, when I talked with the others, we had an honest conversation, and I dunno if you’re even interested in me. I’m not quite old enough to be your father, but I have Najuma, and you’re closer to her age, than you and I are.”

“I am interested in you Hodari, I have a box of chocolates at home, I can run and get it and give it to you…you clearly have given this some thought. Something that is bothering me though…” I said, as I sat down at the table across from Hassian, “…is why did you punch Hodari?” I finished making eye contact with the emerald eyed hunter.

“Remember yesterday morning? After we finished…um…”

“Having sex.”

Hassian’s face was a deep shade of vermillion as he cleared his throat, “Yes, and Hodari came by…we weren’t fighting. Hodari knows our relationship has been becoming more serious. He heard us that night and he came to check on us and make sure you were okay but…” He then looked over at Hodari. “You want me to tell her?”

“Might as well come out with it. Corinth deserves that much. Tea?”

“Yes, my Huntress?”

“Yes, I’ll take some tea,”

“That sound you heard, the one that alarmed you, was Hodari pinning me to the door and kissing me. It was supposed to be a secret but since we are together now, it is best I come forward and tell you. Hodari and I have been seeing each other.”

“Yeah I was suspicious. I’m not gonna lie. What set my mind going was when I mentioned I kissed Hodari and you almost broke the pan you were cooking the eggs in.” I said as Hodari raised an eyebrow at Hassian as he set two cups of hot sweet leaf tea down in front of Hassian and myself. I cautiously took a sip of the hot liquid. “How long has this been going on, and how serious is this? Before I came along right?”

“About half a year, so yeah, before you came ‘long,” Hodari said, as he sat next to me with a cup of tea.

“Hodari and I, why do I feel bashful talking about this…”

“Cause if you hadn’t a punched me, Corinth wouldn’t been suspicious…”

“You two have fucked,” I said, pointing out the elephant in the room, that neither Hassian nor Hodari were willing to address. “Hassian saw you kissing me and got jealous because you told him you wouldn’t pursue me right away…am I right?”

“Yep, that’s sums it up. Hassian, I’m sorry for lyin’ t’ya but we’ve both agreed not to step into courtship, it’d make things complicated an’ Corinth, she’s…she’s diff’rent…”

“She is different Hodari. Each of us knows this about her. I agreed with you and your interest in her last night. What I was not expecting was to catch you and her having a tongue wrestling match when I went to fetch some firework arrows for some humans this morning. I’m sorry for punching you, I overreacted, and I own that. How is your jaw?” Hassian asked, and I had settled on sipping my tea, which was half gone already over the course of the conversation.

“It ain’t broke, it’ll be sore for a while though, but I accept your apology.” Hodari said, as he sipped his tea. I looked at Hodari, and his jaw was already swelling. I frowned, wishing I had a frozen bag of peas or an ice pack to give to the man.

“Hassian, I should ask, do you have any objection with me asking Hodari to court me?”

“I told him I didn’t, and I don’t. I just ask that the both of you give me time to accept this.”

“One more thing, and please, be truthful. Do you guys love each other or is this thing between the two of you just fulfilling sexual needs?”

Hodari spit out his tea, and Hassian’s jaw had dropped slightly. “Straight to the point…you don’t mince words, do ya?”

“Honesty is my policy.”

“I can tell! I will say, it’s complicated. I care ‘bout Hass, don’t get me wrong.” Hassian sat there in silence soaking Hodari’s words in. “Look, I never thought coming over after I heard things went south with Tamala end with us kissing that night. I have come to love him and who he is. We never pursued the tradition of courtship—”

“--because I didn’t feel it was necessary. I still don’t feel like it’s necessary. Just as we ended up kissing that night, I kissed him because I needed to feel like I could have that connection again with anyone. Tamala broke me. I didn’t want to hurt anymore. We love and respect each other, but we know it’s best to keep this to ourselves.” Hassian then reached his hand across the table to grab Hodari’s hand. I felt a smile curl on my face at the two men showing a display of affection for each other. I found it endearing.

“Well, I appreciate you two being honest and open with me. I’m not the jealous type. I’m cool with the two of you continuing to do your thing. I won’t come in between it, even if you decide to put me in between the two of you, I still won’t have complaints.”

This time Hassian nearly spit out his tea. “Ack! What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, remember that morning Hassian, and what we were talking about?”

Hassian blushed a deep shade of red. “Yes. You seriously don’t mean--”

“Feel free to fill in Hodari, I have to get back home before it gets any later,” I said, as I finished what was left of my sweet leaf tea before pushing the mug to Hodari. “Thank you for the tea and the conversation. I’ll see you in a bit Hodari.” I said, as I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder before walking towards the gate to Kilima, knowing I had just planted seeds I would hope to sow in the future.

I ran into Kilima and figured I’d stop by the Inn. The aura seemed to shift since I had ‘the talk’ with Ashura. Ashura was still friendly towards me but treated Reth with indifference. Reth didn’t seem to notice, however.

Reth’s eyes widened when he saw me enter the Inn. His eyes scanned my body, and I switched up my walk to a more seductive one. Reth flitted his eyebrows up and down.

"S'up, uh, babe.” Reth said, as I plopped into the stool I usually sit at the bar, and he wiped the counter.

“I came to check in with you, I’m on for dinner with the Daiyas then after that, I should be free.”

“I see, how’d things go with Hassian?” Reth asked, keeping his voice low while making eye contact. I rested my elbows on the bar counter and brought my hands up around my mouth interlacing my fingers with each other and rested my right cheek on the back of my left hand while I leaned into the counter.

“They went well. Really well, thank you for the cakes and mushrooms you made. The date was a success.” I said, hoping Reth would get the hint. I was used to talking in code at this point with Reth.

“Really well you say? That’s good, I’m happy for you babe. I see he pinned you too…”

“Yes, you’re not…”

“Angry? No. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, mine will be joining his soon, so I hope you won’t be too full from your meal with the Daiyas to enjoy the smorgasbord I’m going to lay out for you. We are still on for tonight, right?”

I laughed, “Yes babe,” I said as reached out to hold Reth’s hand, which he allowed me to do. “We’re still on for tonight. I look forward to seeing you lover boy.” I said, as I slid off the stool.

“Wait, uh, did you want any food or drink before you go? Kind of missed your company these last couple of days.”

“I had a huge breakfast this morning, and Hodari invited me over for tea as well. I will see you tonight. I promise.” I said, winking as I turned on my heel and made my way out of the Inn. I began my walk past the shops when Tish rushed out of her shop.

“Corinth! Dragon, I’m so glad to see you, I need someone to talk to…”

“Tish, are you okay? You look pissed. Who upset you? I’ll have their head on a pike.”

“Let’s go into my shop and talk,” Tish said as she walked back into her shop and turned the open sign around, allowing us privacy to talk.

“Hopefully it wasn’t me who upset you…”

“It was and it wasn’t. I know this may sound a little extreme, but things are...soooo less than optimal today I'm trying to look on the bright side, but it is just extremely difficult right now. Especially given the fact that I'm so busy with commissions I don't even have time to rage redecorate like I normally do when I'm feeling a bit miffed.”

“This is about Reth isn’t it…”

“Ugh, don’t say his name.”

“Sorry, I won’t, what do you need? I’ll help you make it.”

Tish handed me all the blueprints for the Industrial set of furniture that I didn’t have yet. “I need these pieces made. You can leave them on your plot when you’re finished and I’ll have Nai’o help me carry them back to my house. Actually, wait, don’t do that…” Tish said, as she looked under her desk in search of something. “Perfect, here, take this shrink gun, you can just keep it.”

I took the gun from her and held it in my hands, examining it. It was a shiny metal gun, similar to something you’d see in a cartoon, there were a set of three rings at the end. “Are you sure? What if your other one breaks?”

“I can get another one from Zeki or Eshe anytime.”

“Okay, so how do I use it?”

“Oh you see this dial here, set it to shrink, and you just point and shoot. It’s a pretty nifty piece of technology if I say so myself. To unshrink it you just set the dial to unshrink and voila, it’s back to how it was. Here, use it on the homestead armoire over there.” Tish said as she pointed out a piece of furniture in her shop.

“Do I have to get close to it?”

“Step a tiny bit closer to it…” I stepped closer upon Tish’s instruction. “Right there, now just point and shoot.”

“It’s not going to hurt me is it?”

“Oh no. You can’t use it on people, or living things, just objects.”

“I see. Okay, here it goes.” I said as I pointed the gun at the armoire and pulled the trigger. A ray of purple light shot forth and enveloped the armoire before the armoire shrunk into a tiny piece of paper about one square inch that floated like a feather to the floor. I was amazed. It was legit the coolest thing I had seen since arriving in Palia. “Wow! That’s amazing.”

“I know right? Now switch the dial to unshrink, point it at the paper, and shoot again.” Tish instructed. I turned the dial to unshrink before pointing at the paper before shooting. The paper lit up and it stretched and contorted a bit before floating up, the armoire appeared and dropped heavily to the floor in a deafening thud.

“Wow! That was loud.”

“I know, but it’s there now in its full glory. I’m entrusting you with this technology Corinth, don’t let me down.”

“I won’t, I’ll be back with your furniture, it might take me all afternoon, and I still have dinner with the Daiyas tonight…”

“Oh? You’re courting Nai’o? Since when? I thought he was with Kenyatta?”

“He is with Kenyatta, Nai’o’s parents are forcing him to do this,”

“Like is this coming out of left field for you? I can talk to Badruu and Dalaila…”

“No, Tish, I think he told his parents that we kissed.”

“You and Nai’o kissed? When?”

“Like last Friday I think? Time just runs together for me at this point. It’s not like I can sleep for anything.”

Tish frowned. “That sounds way more awful than anything I’m going through at the moment. I’m sorry Corinth.”

“Eh, don’t be. It’s the curse of being human. Anyway, I’ll get this furniture back to you. I should probably go and take care of this now…”

“Wait, Corinth, um don’t you think you might be rushing just a bit? I see Hassian’s pin on you, you are courting my brother, were you also behind the heart drop lily in Kenyatta’s hair too? Reth mentioned you were in Bahari Bay with Kenyatta yesterday. How many people are you courting?”

“Um.” I held my hand out to count. “Jel, Jina, Hassian, Reth, Kenyatta…five so far.”

“Oh my Dragon! You asked Jel and Jina?”

“Hm, yeah I did.”

“Who else are you going to date? That seems a lot to keep track of and…yeah…I’m just worried, do they all know you are doing this? I don’t want to see my brother hurt.”

“I keep everything out in the open between everyone. Hassian is the only one who has pinned me so far. As far as anyone else? Nai’o and Hodari are on my radar now. I haven’t initiated the courtships yet though, I still need to do that.”

“So you and Hassian, you did things…right?” There was a seductive glint in Tish’s blue eyes.

I nodded. “As he would put it, we consummated the relationship, yes.”

She seemed to frown at that moment. “Wow. I…um…congratulations. I’m happy for you and Hassian.” Tish said, and I could tell her enthusiasm was fake. She was trying to shield her true emotions at that moment. I picked up on it.

“Tish are you okay? You seem upset, did I say something wrong? I mean, I know this isn’t the way normal courtship is supposed to go…but everyone seems happy with this arrangement.”

“Oh no, I’m fine. I’m going to let you go get that furniture done.”

“You know you can talk to me anytime you need to, right?”

Tish nodded. “I know Corinth, you’ve been nothing but honest, and really nice to me. I appreciate our friendship. Let me get the door.” Tish said, as she walked to the door and unlocked it before turning the sign around back to open again.

“I appreciate it too, Tish,” I said as I patted the woman’s arm. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Yes, I will see you later. Take care!” Tish said as she allowed me out of her shop.

I raced back up to my plot and took care of any gardening that needed to be done before I set out to make all the furniture Tish required. It took me the majority of the afternoon to do, I’m not gonna lie, but once I had the furniture out on the grass, I shrunk it all down to tiny pieces of paper before sticking them in my bag, it was almost five in the afternoon. I grabbed one of Reth’s boxes of chocolates and stuck that in my bag too before taking off out of my plot again.

I made a beeline to Tish’s shop, and she looked visibly more upset than before.

“Tish hun, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Oh, Corinth. Yeah, I’m fine. Please don’t worry about me, did you get the furniture done already?”

“I did. Here are the shrunk-down versions of the furniture.” I said as I handed over the seven pieces of paper. Tish thumbed through them before setting down one on the floor in front of us and using her shrink gun to unshrink it. It was one of the four dining chairs I had made.

“Oh. My. Dragon! You did even better than I could have done. Seriously, that beveling is perfection. I would do that little chef's kiss right now, but that would remind me of my brother, and I so do not want to be reminded of him right now.”

“No I get it, I kind of dropped a bomb of information on you. That was my fault. I kind of jumped the gun and told you, but I knew you needed to know because I wanted to save Ashura from getting yelled at when he’s not at fault.”

“I know you and him, there’s mutual respect. Besides you’re courting Reth, crazy as that is. I just need time to process this all, and this furniture should help. Who’da thunk Reth, my brother is in the Grimalkin cartel. I mean, it makes sense now, why he’s always tired, why I hardly ever see him anymore.”

“I know it’s a lot to process Tish…”

“Yeah, I’m gonna close up shop here and find out why he's doing this. Thank you so much for telling me. I knew I could trust you.”

“Yeah, no problem, and Tish…”

“Yes?”

“Don’t be too hard on your brother. I’ve told Ashura as well, he hasn’t let Reth know as of yet, that I’ve told him, but as I said, I’m expecting it to either blow up in my face or to have Reth understand when Ashura does get around to that conversation.”

“Thank you for this though. You should stop by in the next couple of days to come check out the furniture, here’s the key to my house, and some spare copper I had lying around. You’ll probably have more use for it than I will.” Tish said as she dug into a pocket in her dress and gave me a key to her house. I took it and set it on the key ring that held all the other keys I’d accumulated up to that point. “I’ll let you go, I know you got other things to do, and people to see so I won’t keep you.”

“Thank you, Tish, and I’ll stop by sometime soon to check out your new furniture. See you around.”

“Yes, see you around Corinth! Take care!”

“Will do, you do the same huh?”

“I will.”

With that, I left Tish’s furniture shop and raced all the way back out to Bahari Bay as fast as my legs would take me.

I found Hodari in the mines closest to his house. “Here again? At this point, m'starting to get used to it.”

“I have something for you,” I said as I pulled the box of chocolates out of my bag and handed it to Hodari.

“Oh! This for me? I mean, ain't exactly refusing, but you do know what these, uh, mean. Right? You sure you want to go through with this?”

“Never been more sure of anything Hodari, also you're hot and I wanna kiss you again.”

Suddenly the majiri man flushed a deep red, and seemed to struggle to breathe. “E-excuse me? I- uh. That's--I don't think I've ever met someone quite like you, Corinth.” Hodari said, as he put the box of chocolates into his bag. He then, grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. “If a kiss is what you want, I’ll happily oblige.”

Hodari’s lips closed in on mine, and I felt like a tidal wave came in and swept me off my feet. Seeing me nearly collapse against him, Hodari hooked his hands under each thigh and I found myself pinned against the cliff side, with Hodari’s body flush against mine, my legs around the trunk of his body as we continued to kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck as we kissed with all the passion both of us could muster.

Groaning, Hodari pulled off me. “I gotta stop, otherwise I’m not going to be able to stop what happens next,” Hodari said, as he set me down gently. “Look, I got, uh- work t'do, rocks to mine, that sorta thing. I'll talk to y'later, alright?”

“Y-yeah, I’ll talk to you later,” I said, my cheeks absolutely flushed, and my lips swollen from Hodari’s hungry kiss. I took off again and as soon as I was out of eyesight of Hodari I teleported back home.

I picked up around my house, took a quick bath, and changed my clothes. Throwing Hassians pin on the lapel of the jacket I wore currently. I would need to do another load of laundry but I could take care of that later. I would also need to buy more clothes from Jel, I needed more variety in my wardrobe.

A knock at the door disrupted my thoughts and I quickly grabbed another box of chocolates from my storage bin before I answered the door.

“I... wow! I didn't know you felt the same way about me. I mean, uh... I've been thinking you're pretty cute, and you're nice, and you help me out...I was actually gonna give you something. But you beat me to it! Here, you should take these anyways, okay? If I keep them, Auni will sneak into my room and eat them all.” Nai’o said, as he took out his own box of chocolates. We exchanged boxes of chocolate before I invited him inside. “I know my family kind of pushed us into this. I wanted to come up here first and give you that box of chocolate to ask your hand in courtship so my family thinks this was official.”

“Well it’s official now, Nai’o. You like me, and I like you, this is the next logical step, right? I mean I’ve been meaning to ask you as well; I’ve just been busy running errands for everyone, time just slipped away.”

Nai’o then took my hand in his. “I know, you’re a busy woman. Everyone seems to want a bit of your time these days, and you’re all anyone ever talks about anymore. I know myself included. My family is on their way, I helped Ma with some of the dishes…” Nai’o said, as he let go of my hand and pulled off his backpack off his shoulders. “Can I put the dishes on your dining table?”

“Yes. Let me grab my plates and glasses, I’ll whip up some sweet leaf tea too…”

“That sounds delightful,” Nai’o said as he started putting dishes on my dining room table. Meanwhile, I grabbed one of my largest pots and began filling it with water. I then set it down on the stove to boil, before I grabbed my mugs, and plates and set them down by the good. I realized, I probably didn’t have enough mugs, plates or silverware.

“I don’t think I have enough plates, mugs, or silverware…” I said frowning, but Nai’o was right there giving me a big smile.

“It’s okay, my mom is bringing extra stuff. She figured you might not have enough…”

“I know, I’m not used to entertaining many people…the last time was my housewarming party you came to remember?”

“Oh that’s right…” Suddenly Nai’o pulled me into his warm embrace. “We got you, you don’t need to worry about anything,” Nai’o said, as he kissed my lips sweetly.

“Mm, thank you.” I said, as I went to grab the sweet leaf in my backpack and tossed about five into the pot of water. I then went to look at the spread of food. There were bacon stuffed mushrooms, steamed fish it looked like Golden Salmon, and Kilima Catfish, Cabbage Rolls, Stuffed tomatoes, and for dessert, triple berry, and apple pie. “This food looks amazing.”

“I helped my mom with the mushrooms, cabbage rolls and the triple berry pie. I hope you enjoy it all.”

“Oh I will,” Just then there was a knock at the door.

“That must be them.”

“I’ll let them in, make yourself at home Nai’o, you’re a guest,” I said, as I went to the door to see Delaila, Badruu, and Auni waiting.

“Hey guys! Come in! Come in!” I said, smiling at the trio as they entered the house.

“There ya are, dearie! Been waitin' all day to come see ya. Here, I brought some extra plates, cups, and silverware. Why don’t you settle down and I’ll make you a plate of food. Are you getting enough to eat? Honestly, I worry about you out here sometimes. It's a lot of work for one person to keep up with all of us the way you have been. I hope my Nai'o's been helping you out.”

“He’s offered and I’ve taken him up on it a few times already. He’s got muscles for days.”

“Good! Glad to hear we raised that boy right. Oh, look at me, going on and on. I'll go fix you a plate and let you eat! Let me know if you'd like seconds, there's plenty for you.”

“Thank you Delaila.”

“Hey Auni! How have you been?”

“Wow, you're actually here!! I thought for sure you and Nai'o were gonna sneak off and play hooky. Even though Ma made me brush my hair and everything before we headed over here. So like... are you gonna be hanging out around us more?”

“That’s the plan, so how’s everything working out with the wooden sword I gave you?”

“Oh, Ma took that away from me, I kept bothering Nai’o with it too much.” I let out a laugh.

“Well with great power comes great responsibility. How’s bug hunting?”

“It’s great! Remind me to show you my new moves tomorrow, I've been practicing my throws!”

“I’ll have to remember to remind you.” I said, as I saw Nai’o pat the couch next to him. I sat down next to him. Delaila then came by with a plate full of everything, a couple of mushrooms, a cabbage roll, a section of each steamed fish, a stuffed tomato, and a slice of each pie topped with whipped cream with a fork. I looked up at Delaila. “Thank you.”

“Not a problem dearie, there’s plenty more where that came from.” With that she went to fix Auni a plate and to get after the boy for jumping on my bed, I didn’t mind, kids would be kids, and you only get to be a kid once.

Badruu parked himself in chair next to me, with a plate of his own. “How’s things going at the farm Badruu? Good I hope.” I said as Nai’o got up to fix himself a plate.

“They’re going all right. The chapaas have been stealing more carrots then I carrot to admit.”

“Well, if there’s one thing I’ve learned with hanging out with Hassian is how to take care of a chapaa, if you need my help, just let me know, I’ll be happy to get rid of them for you.”

“Thank you, also thanks for having us over Cori. Hopefully the day hasn't made you too beet. How're the crops doing? Weather treating you right?”

“My garden is flourishing, having a bit of trouble keep the weeds at bay, but I’ve seen plentiful harvests so far.”

“That’s grape! You know, those'll get ya every time, huh? Here, maybe after this, I’ll help you out. Just don't tell Delaila I pulled the fertilizer out on someone's doorstep again.” Badruu said, as he began to dig into his food. I too, did the same but I giggled.

The food was delicious. After the plate Delaila made me, I was stuffed. We sat in my living room, making conversation, and it was nice to just relax in the company of the Daiyas. Auni challenged me to a card game, Nai’o ended up joining the two of us for a game after helping put away the leftovers in my fridge.

Both Badruu and Delaila watched the three of us play until around 8pm before we went outside, so Auni could catch the fireflies. He showed me his improved throwing skills. The fireflies seemed to congregate around my lot once the sun went down. We stood around making light conversation until about 8:30 when they bid their goodbyes since they had to prepare to leave for Bahari City the next day.

“It was a lovely night Corinth, take care of my boy, we’ll see you when we come back from Bahari City on Sunday.”

I looked over at Nai’o who was now showing Auni how to skip rocks in my pond. “I will. See you guys Sunday, I hope you guys win all the competitions.”

“Oh, I hope so too dearie, we’ve been preparing all year for this.”

“Good luck, I’ll come and check in with you guys Sunday night.”

“Sounds good dear, Auni! It’s time to go.”

“Aw, mom do I have too? Can’t we stay for ten more minutes?”

“No, you know we can’t, we have to go to Bahari City tomorrow.”

“Oh that’s right. All right! Goodnight Corinth! See you later, also check your mailbox.”

“Auni Daiya! I told you, you weren’t to deliver any mail…oy very, this child.” I heard Delaila get after Auni as they took off out the gate.

“I’ll ketchup with you later Corinth, Nai’o’s off his night chores tonight to spend some time with you. Don’t stay up too latte.”

“Goodnight Badruu.” I said, bidding Badruu a goodnight, as I watched him leave out of my gate. I then walked over to Nai’o.

“My family finally gone?”

“Yep, I think we’re alone now.” I said as I wrapped my arms around Nai’o’s trunk and rested my head against Nai’o’s chest, I could hear his steady heartbeat calming me down. Nai’o wrapped his arms around me, and I could his lips brush against my hairline. I just allowed myself to feel the hug. All I could see was Kenyatta’s body on mine, her lips kissing me. The guilt of what transpired the night before finally broke me, and I cried.

“Hey, you okay?”

“When did life become so complicated?” I asked, as I buried my tear-stained face into Nai’o’s chest.

“Why is it complicated?” Nai’o asked, as he pulled me off him to look me in my eyes. “You can talk to me you know, I don’t like seeing you hurt.”

“I just needed tonight, to sit, and enjoy other people’s company without any ulterior motives, this week so far has been a whirlwind of emotions,” I said as I looked up at Nai’o but his eyes were on my chest, namely on Hassian’s pin.

“Hassian finally pinned you.” Nai’o said, as he saw the pin I had on the lapel of my jacket. “About time. Wish it was me to be honest.”

“Look, I’m just going to come out and say it Nai’o, there’s no use in hiding this anymore. Kenyatta and I…we had sex last night. She hasn’t pinned me, we both just got carried away. Hodari caught us.”

Nai’o eyes met mine, and he was so hard to read at that moment. “You gave her the heartdrop lily?”

“Yes. I understand if you don’t want to talk to me or have anything to do with me anymore. I just don’t want to hurt you or Kenyatta with this back and forth anymore.”

“I, I, I don’t know what to say, we were on a break…I’m not mad, so don’t think I am, cause I’m not, just…where does this leave me and Kenyatta?”

“Well, I was told to tell you that Kenyatta’s waiting at the houseboat tonight, she wants to talk, and work through things, I think you should go and meet her.”

“I will.” Nai’o said, as he pulled me against him, his hands on my hips, his skin burned against mine. He pulled his lips over his teeth. “Thank you, but will I still see you this Saturday?”

“Do you still want me to stop by?”

“Mmhm…I definitely want you to stop by.” Nai’o said, as wrapped his arms around me fully and gave me a bruising hug that threatened to steal my breath from my lungs. He then put and hand under my chin and sealed the deal with a kiss that left the both of us gasping for air.

“I got to see Kenyatta. What are you doing after I leave?”

“I got a date with Reth.”

“Oh, oh. I’ll leave you to it, and…don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” With that, he hurriedly left out the gate of my plot.

I figured it would be a good time to check my mail.

There was just one lone letter, from Reth.

Hey babe,

I know I told you stop by Jel’s shop, but can you meet me in the storage room? It’s private but not nearly as much as your plot.

So just meet me in the storage room.

I ran inside, checked my reflection and freshened up, I didn’t even bother with taking my backpack with me. I just ran out of my plot and straight to the Inn, instead of going in through the front I walked around the back and entered the stairs to the storeroom that way. Using Reth’s key, I entered to find Reth sitting at the table, with a heart drop lily next to him, writing in a notepad, nursing a beer. He looked up at me.

“Hey, uh, I wasn’t expecting you here so fast, I mean I was expecting you but…I was wondering if Ashura talked to you…”

I pulled my lips over my teeth and nodded. Reth looked broken. “He did a while ago…did he finally talk to you? Are you okay?”

“...Not really. Think I might have messed this one up big time. Did he give you the disappointed dad speech too?”

“Yep, thought he was going to put a hole in the wall. I hate to say, ‘I told you so’ Reth, but…”

“You were right, I know. I should’ve just told him. Tonight was really rough. Weird thing is, he didn't fire me. He even asked me if I was okay. I guess I'm the world's worst brother and employee. I keep ruining things. Can't keep my sister safe, can't make anyone proud. It's like, I know that I'm doing it, right? I just can't stop myself. Give me the chance, I'll ruin your life too.”

“Reth, I don't think you will, not when I’m willing to shoot someone beating you within an inch of your life. I’m here, I’ll always be here. I’m here for the long-haul.”

“I wish I believed in myself half as much as you do,” Reth said, as he grabbed the bottle of beer and took a swing of it.

“I'm not perfect either…I’m human, do you forget the conversation we had while you showed me how to shuck oysters? I’m flawed myself…”

“Are you joking? Compared to me, you're a paragon of virtue. Before all this happened, I was even gonna ask you to wear this pin.” Reth said, as he pointed to the pin sitting next to his notepad. “It’s stupid, right? I should just throw it in the gutter where it belongs, and I was going to. Hassian, however, talked me down off the proverbial cliff. His mother witnessed the whole thing as well.”

“Oh no…Reth…”

“Sifuu took Ashura out for a walk before he could fully lose it, while Hassian and I had a couple of drinks tonight. We talked about everything tonight. About you, about me, about life. He’s a great listener, Cori. I see why you fell for him. He told me I should write all my feelings down and I think I did that. You do know once you accept my pin, there’s no going back after this. Are you sure you want me?”

“Reth, yes!” I said as I reached forward to take the pin but Reth put his hand over it.

“Even after everything I put you through, and probably will still put you through, you want this?”

“Are you really going to ask for a third time?” I asked, looked at him.

“I might. It's just...you're really sure about this? About us? I mean, you can change your mind whenever you want, but just—here, read this, I wrote this about you, and how you make me feel.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” I said, looking at him as I sat next to him, grabbed the notebook from him, and began to pour over the text with my eyes.

I hate when you go
But I hate when you're here
I was fine all alone
Before you appeared
But the second you come back
Got me talking fast, making me weak
Throwing everything off track, oh you’re trouble
I'm in too deep
Now I know what they mean when they say
It's serious
How could this be?
When we touch, it's a dream
Oh, you're making me delirious
This is serious love
Love, love
Now I'm losing sleep
Gettin’ lost in your arms
Watchin' you watchin' me
I can feel your heart against my heart
Yeah, every time you do that
Got me talking fast, making me weak
Throwing everything off track, oh you’re trouble
I'm in too deep
Now I know what they mean when they say
It's serious
How could this be?
When we touch, it's a dream
Oh, you're making me delirious
This is serious love
Love, love
This is serious, serious love
Love, love
Yeah, every time you do it
Got me talking fast, making me weak
I'm in too deep
Now I know what they mean when they say
It's serious
How could this be?
When we touch, it's a dream
Oh, you're making me delirious
This is serious love
Love, love
This is serious, serious love
Love, love
This is love

I put the notepad down, with tears in my eyes. The words touched me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I was touched as I made eye contact with Reth. “You wrote this? About me?”

“Yes.”

“Reth, it’s beautiful, can I go upstairs and plunk this out on the piano?”

“Yes, but first, I’m sorry, I was really expecting this to blow up in my face like everything else did tonight. So... uh. Is this the part where we hold hands? I've never actually given my pin to anyone before, ya know? Never thought I'd meet someone who wanted it.” Reth said as he got up from the table. I followed his lead and got up as well.

“I wanna do a lot more than just hold hands Reth. I mean we’ve done a bit more than that, but I think you do too.”

“Oh, I do. Also, for you…I realized I’ve never given you flowers, I’ve given you lots of chocolate, but never gave you flowers, so, this heart drop lily is for you.”

“Thank you, also, your pin?” I asked, as Reth picked it up off the table and examined it before handing it to me.

“It’s yours. Everything I have to offer and give you, it’s all yours.” Reth said, as he handed me his pin. “So, while this wasn’t the idea I had to finally give you my pin, I had this elaborate date planned to make things official, after what transpired tonight, I’m trying. I hope you accept it.”

“Of course I accept it! I love you Reth, I really do love you. You deserve love, and to be loved.” I said as I put Reth’s pin on the other side of my jacket. As soon as I fastened Reth’s on my jacket, Reth curled a finger under my chin to turn my head up to look up at him, and he was teary-eyed. There were no more words, Reth lips touched mine. I pulled my arms around the man’s neck and thrust my hand into his dreads.

Reth deepened the kiss and spun us around before pinning me to the door taking the arms I had around his neck, pinning them against the door, and interlacing his fingers with mine. His lips left mine to nip at my chin, and kiss my neck before he kissed his way back to my lips, he knocked his knee in between my legs, and knocked his hips against me, allowing me to feel what I was doing to him and how his body was reacting to me before pulling away.

“Let’s take this party back to your house, but first,” Reth said, as he turned around to grab the notepad off the table. “You have a song to work on.”

I smiled as I took the notepad. We exited the storeroom, and went upstairs to the piano where I played with various chords before settling on Gm, Dm, Csus2 and C. Reth sat next to me on the bench showering kisses on various parts of my body that he could get to while his arms were draped around me as I worked on the song.

Once I felt it was performance-ready, I turned to him. “Ready to go back to my house and continue our date?” I asked, and he nodded. Just then Ashura came in.

“Oh, sorry if I’m interrupting anything.”

Reth rested his chin on my shoulder, not bothering to look at Ashura.

“Is everything okay, Ashura?”

“It’s fine, what are you two lovebirds up to tonight?” Ashura asked as he approached us sitting at the piano.

“Working on a song that Reth wrote for me tonight, then we’re going…” Reth squeezed me, and shook his head. I didn’t want to lie but Ashura probably didn’t need to know the next sequence of events about to transpire once we got back to my house. “…on a walk to talk about things.”

“Oh, I see,” Ashura said, as he watched both Reth and I get up from the piano, and he moved aside to allow a free path to leave. His eyes scanned over me.

“He finally did it huh?” Ashura asked, pointing towards Reth’s pin. I nodded.

“Yeah, took him long enough.” I teased looking back at Reth who was as red as a sugar beet.

“Have fun you too. Don’t stay out all night. I’ll see you tomorrow Reth.”

“Goodnight Ashura,” I said as I took Reth’s hand and pulled him along.

“See ya tomorrow Ash,” Reth said, as he dipped out of the Inn behind me. He squeezed my hand. “Thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome. My place now?”

“Let me check in with Zeki first, I think I have the night off, but I want to make sure.”

“Sure baby,” I said, and Reth growled.

“You’re asking for it…”

“Hm, and you’ll have the chance to give it to me once you hurry this up.”

Reth laughed before letting go of my hand and rushed inside Zeki’s shop. I waited patiently for him, before he came back out, carrying a variety of boxes, some gift-wrapped while others were sealed.

“What’s all that?”

“Stuff, for tonight. I’ve been squirreling away things I’ve come across as well, you’ll just have to see won’t you.”

“Do you need any help carrying any of that?”

Reth shook his head, “Nope. Just lead the way to your house.”

I shrugged, “Okay.” I said, “So, Zeki let you have the night off?”

“Yes. I’ve been pulling double duty all week to make sure this night went off without a hitch, well, that was up until Ashura…”

“Talked to you. Let’s just forget about all of that and enjoy your time off. Hm? I don’t know when we’ll have a night like this again.”

“I’d pull you in and kiss those lips, but I got these boxes. Let’s just get to your house.”

“Yes sir.” I said as I turned around and gave Reth a soldier’s salute before turning back around to lead Reth to my plot.

When we made it to my plot, we walked into my house, and Reth set the boxes down on the table and began going through the boxes. He slid over two gift-wrapped boxes to me. “These are yours.”

“Do I open them now?”

“Of course.”

I pulled on the bow on the flat box that was about a few inches thick. Inside lay a beautiful dark blue silk nightgown with a matching thong. “It’s beautiful! Reth!” I exclaimed as I held it up against my body.

“That’s what I commissioned Jel to make for you, I’m happy he got it done in time”

“I was supposed to come to see him about it, I never really had time to stop by his shop, I hope he’s okay.”

“He’s fine, busy with Kenyatta’s dress and you should stop by to see him soon. He’s been asking about you.”

“I know, did you want me to put this on now?” I asked, looking at him. He shook his head and pointed to the other box on the table.

“You got one more box to open, the nightgown was something you could wear for me before we go to sleep tonight, but this…I want you to put this on, and only this. I want you to wear it until we decide to go to sleep.” Reth said, as he watched me pull the ribbon off the box, and when I pulled the lid off the box before me, sat a large sapphire tear drop necklace with small citrines around the outside of it.

“Reth! Oh my! It’s beautiful.”

“I want you in nothing but this tonight…so why don’t you go get ready, I’ve got some preparations of my own to make.”

I nodded, before kissing Reth. I then turned on my heel and went into the bathroom, turning the light on before pulling the curtains over the doorway. I took my jacket off and took Hassian’s and Reth’s pins off the lapels before I looked over both of them. Both were vastly different. Hassian’s looked like they were made with Proudhorn sernuk antlers with a heart drop lily which gave the pin a dusty pink hue. Reth’s however, was made with pallium but there was an aroma come from it. I brought his pin to my nose; it smelled like loaded potato soup. I smirked, Reth you sneaky boy. Meanwhile, I heard Reth opening boxes and putting things on the table that was in front of my bed.

I set the pins in a box I had made specifically to store my pins before I took off my jacket and peeled off my pants and panties. I washed my face and brushed my teeth before grabbing the necklace Reth had given me. I could feel the energy emanating from it. I put the necklace on and stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror. Satisfied, I turned off the light and exited the bathroom, and scene I came across was a beautiful one.

Sundrop lily petals were all over my bed emitting a faint glow, but the bedroom was lit with candles. Sixteen to be precise including the one Reth was holding. They provided the only light. Reth had shed his chef’s jacket and apron as he lit the last candle. “Reth, this is beautiful…”

Suddenly he jumped and dropped the candle votive and lighter, the votive shattered on the floor. “Fuck—” He then clamped a hand over his mouth before his eyes turned to me.

“I’m sorry for making you jump…let me clean this for you…” I said as I grabbed a hand broom and dustpan before I started to sweep up the shattered glass.

“No, I got it, I still have my shoes and pants on. I don’t want you getting cut. Please, I got it.”

“I’m sorry Reth.” I said as I set the broom and dustpan down to let Reth take over I took a step back, and a sliver of glass embedded itself into the bottom of my foot sending a sharp pain up to my knees which ended up buckling under me and I went crashing to the ground. “Shit!”

“Are you okay?” Reth asked, as he dropped the broom and dustpan and came to my aid. I waved my hand at him.

“I stepped on a piece of glass. Just focus on getting it picked up, I’ll hobble into the bathroom and see if I can find my tweezers.” I said, as I got up off the floor, hobbled into the bathroom, and dug though my drawer, quickly finding my tweezers before I switched on the light. I ran over the skin where I felt the splinter of glass went it, found it, before carefully plucking out the shard of glass embedded in my foot. There was a tiny bit of blood but figured it would just scab over, but I did pour a bit of antiseptic on the wound just to be safe. Reth by now had finished with the glass and came to check in on me.

“How bad’s the damage?”

“Just a sliver, it’s out now,” I said, showing him the sliver.

“Huh, tiny thing huh? Crazy how something so small can cause so much pain?” Reth said as he grabbed the tiny sliver before tossing it in the garbage and helping me up off the closed toilet. His eyes glossed over my body, and he bit his lip. “Mm…you are so sexy,” Reth said, he spun me around as his lips crashed upon mine. He pulled my body flush against his. I moaned, feeling his body against mine. I was in ecstasy.

“Mm, Reth…” I said as I deepened the kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck. Reth’s hands caressed down my back where my landed on my ass where he gripped the ample flesh there before he nudged forward, and we ended on the bed with him on top of me. He moved his right hand from my ass around my hips to my womanhood.

“You’re so wet Fancy Pants…” Reth said as he pulled his lips away from mine. “I just…I want to…” He then pulled down his pants his hips meeting mine as I opened my legs to feel his hard shaft brush against my womanhood. I moaned, as he kicked off his pants. He ground his cock against me, as he licked down the center of my chest. His mouth closed on my left nipple.

“Mm…Reth, quick teasing me…”

“Oh, but I love teasing you,” Reth said huskily as he licked his way to my other nipple. I felt the head of his penis get positioned at my entrance before he thrust slowly inside of me.

“Yes Reth...” He was larger by far than Hassian. He then stopped; he had only gotten the tip inside before he quickly backed out.

“Fuck…I forgot the sheath…let me grab one quick.”

I frowned but nodded. Reth went to the nightstand and grabbed a sheath and rolled it on. I watched him, just marveled that he was blessed with such a beautiful penis. “I’ve been wanting this…I got a little too excited and almost went in without a sheath. Fancy Pants, let’s get on you on the bed properly.” Reth said, as he picked my legs up and swung them up on to the bed while I scooted up, so I was in the middle of the bed. My head rested on a pillow, as Reth crawled onto the bed on top of me. I once again opened my legs for him. He made eye contact with me, his lips crashed upon mine as he was once again at my entrance. “Let’s try this again,” Reth said, as he found no resistance as he entered me. “Better than I could even imagine,” Reth said, as he began to move. I brought my lips to him to quiet him.

His hands caressed all over me as he made love to me. I was just relishing the feelings as my body started moving with him. Reth then touched the necklace and suddenly pleasure erupted throughout my body. “RETH!”

With every thrust of Reth’s hips, the pleasure would grow more intense, until I felt my orgasm erupt through every cell in my body. I lost control of my voice, and everything around me, all I knew at that moment was Reth, and his body on mine.

Reth smirked against my neck as he kissed it. “Hm…Zeki was right, the necklace works on humans too.”

“H-huh? I just c-came…”

Just then Reth touched the necklace, and a wave of pleasure washed over me. I sucked in a breath and let out a breathy moan. “Zeki called this an ancient pleasure device. It has Flow in the metal I guess. Does it feel good, when I touch it?” Reth said as he ran his fingers over the necklace, and it felt like his hands had multiplied and were touching all my erogenous zones.

“Mm…yes, it feels like you’re touching me everywhere it counts.”

“You already came once…hm…I have so much planned for us tonight Cori,” Reth said, as he wrapped his hand around the necklace. “Come.” Reth whispered seductively in my ear, and it was like my body was under his command.

“R-Reth!” I yelped as my body erupted again in orgasm. My skin tingled, like there was a fire underneath, my toes curled, and my body broke out in sweat. I wanted more, more of this delicious heat, and pleasure.

“Fuck Corinth. I’m digging this.” Reth said, as he switched up his rhythm. “I can feel you contract around me…I can feel you become undone. You are so perfect like this.” Reth said as he let go of the necklace and his lips latched on my neck again. “Did Hassian bite you?” I was recovering from the two intense orgasms I had, and I nodded. He then glanced down at my thigh. “I take it that one is Jel’s handiwork?” Again, I could only nod. “You have a thing for biting huh? I mean, not my cup of tea. But uh…” Reth said trailing off as he focused on his thrusts inside of me.

“They both did it in the heat of the moment. I felt Jel’s but I didn’t feel Hassian’s.” I said, as I could feel my pleasure start to build again. “Enough about them Reth…” I said, as I pulled myself to kiss his lips again. Reth allowed me that much, until he started moving inside of me, fast.

“Mm. You’re asking for it…”

“Give it to me then,” I said, looking up Reth as I caressed my hands down Reth’s muscular back, where they landed on his ass, where they squeezed. “Make me regret seducing a bad boy like yourself.”

Reth then growled, as he ripped my hands off of him and pinned them over my head as his thrusts became rough, but I realized the pain just heightened my pleasure even more. My body erupted in my third orgasm of the night as I felt Reth bite into the opposite side of my neck. I moaned Reth’s name. Reth too relished the pleasure and moaned. My name leaving his lips just turned me on even more. His lips met mine, and I could taste the metallic bitterness of my blood on his lips.

Reth flipped us so I was on top. I took control, my lips kissing his passionately. I moved my hips, as Reth intertwined our hands together. I could feel something drip down my neck and chest. I didn’t care. I didn’t want the night to end. I was consumed. I kept moving, and the pleasure was building again, I was tempted to grab the necklace, but my body exploded again in the fourth orgasm of the night. I was so responsive and eager to love Reth.

He let go of my hands and I was slammed on my back with Reth’s hips pistoning quickly. “I can’t get enough! You drive me absolutely crazy.” Reth said, as he gripped my breasts not caring about the blood. I then tweaked Reth’s nipples. “I wanna get you there one more time…” Reth said, as he lifted my legs, so my feet were on either side of his head, while he brought his hand to my clit and strummed on it.

“Yes, Reth!” I said, as my fifth orgasm struck me, and Reth too, came the same time I did, my name coming out in high-pitched erotic moans. We rode the wave, and my legs lost their strength which was a good thing because it allowed Reth to cover me with his body. His arms wrapped around me, and he laid his head on my chest.

“Is this real? We just…”

“Made incredible love? Yes.”

He then glanced at the bite and became alarmed. “Damn it. Stay here babe, I’ll be back.”

“Uh, okay?” I said, feeling delirious.

Reth came with a bottle of antiseptic and some rags. I turned my head, and I realized the bite was bad. The bed underneath was wet with blood. I glanced around and became alarmed by the amount of blood on the sheets, and my body. “I think I nicked a vein when I bit you. I’m gonna splash this on the bite, then I’m gonna put pressure on it and try to stop the bleeding. I should’ve done that elsewhere.”

I nodded, trying not to panic as Reth took care of the bite. “Is it bad?”

“If you try to get up, you’re going to either fall, or pass out. You’re also going to need to clean the sheets.”

“I’m not worried about the sheets Reth.”

“Right, the bite is more important. Turn your head, I’m going to put pressure on it, to stop the bleeding.”

I nodded, and turned my head, and Reth put a cloth over the bite. He applied firm pressure but not enough to cut my airway. I closed my eyes and tried to recover my breathing. It seemed to do the trick. “Has it stopped?”

Reth hummed a reply. “Mmhm but you should lay on the opposite side and rest a moment. The bite should heal. I mean, I’d thought I would never be into that. I don’t know what I was thinking. Guess I was curious.”

I let out a giggle. “I didn’t know it was a thing the Majiri did? When Jel did it to me, I was shocked. Then when Hassian did it, it was pleasurable, I came when it did it to me.”

“I mean, I’ve heard of it happening, they call it marking. You only do that as a way to claim the person as yours. Usually happens in the heat of sex…with people you want to stay monogamous with. Uh, like wedding night type of shit.” Reth said, as he dabbed at the bite before putting something on it. “I’m gonna put a bandage on the bite Fancy Pants, I just don’t want the scabs that formed to break, they’re pretty fragile still. The night is far from over.”

“I take it you’ve never done that before?”

“No. Never.” Reth said, as he bandaged the bite. “I just…wanted to leave my mark on you too I guess.”

“Not even Jel?”

“You’re the first in that regard Corinth. I wasn’t even planning to do that. I figured my pin would be enough, but when I saw the bites, I just…wanted no, needed to do it. I love you.”

“I love you too Reth.”

“I’m going to run a bath for us, we both need it.” Reth said, as he finished bandaging the bite before I could feel him leave me. I could hear the water running for the bath.

Reth came to help me into the tub, and I saw that I did lose a bit of blood, I was a little dizzy, but Reth made sure I made it into the tub safely. He then pulled the blankets off the bed and got dressed.

“Reth baby, where are you going?”

“I’m gonna run these to Jel and see if he has anything extra. I’ll be back shortly I promise. Enjoy the bath.”

I frowned but knew Reth would be back. It didn’t take him long maybe ten minutes. He quickly made the bed before coming back into the bathroom completely naked again this time climbing in the tub behind me.

Reth and washed each other sharing kisses and caresses. “You should let me wash your hair properly Reth. Certainly, these dreads get itchy, don’t they?”

“It'll take you forever and probably Hassian’s help to get all the tangles out. I don’t have time to properly care for my hair, so I never bother with it.”

“Reth you could develop some nasty conditions from this…can I at least try?”

“Another time perhaps not tonight though. Tonight is about you and me.” Reth said, as he grabbed the shampoo, “Let me wash your hair and body.”

I nodded, as I dipped my scalp into the water making sure all of my hair was wet before Reth began washing my hair. His hands massaged my scalp, it felt so relaxing and nice. He rinsed my hair before putting in the conditioner.

Once my hair was cleaned and moisturized he grabbed my sponge and began washing my back and once that was finished he handed the sponge to me so I could wash my front. Once I was finished, I set the sponge aside and Reth grabbed it.

“Why don’t you dry off, I’ll finish up in here.”

“Should I get dressed?”

“Nah, I still have plans for us. You go relax on the bed and leave everything to me.” I nodded as I grabbed a clean towel and wrapped it around my body before I exited the bathroom, allowing Reth to finish bathing himself.

I dried my hair, and relaxed back on my bed, still only wearing the necklace. Reth finished up in the bathroom and walked out with a towel around his hips. In the kitchen, on my dining room table Reth grabbed a few devices and washed them in the kitchen sink.

I looked at Reth, as he set the two devices down. “Okay, so which one would you like to start off with first?”

I pointed to one that looked interesting. There was a long phallic end at the bottom with a soft-looking hole at the top. The other one was a flower-like device with a hole in the middle. “You know how to use them, right?”

“Yeah Zeki gave me a run down. Spread your legs and relax.” Reth said as he positioned the toy at my entrance, and he pushed it inside of me as soon as I opened my legs for him. I arched my back as I was still sensitive from earlier. He pushed the apparatus inside until the hole enveloped my clit before he pressed a couple of buttons and the toy began vibrating inside of me, and around my clit.

I let out of moan as Reth began moving the toy inside of me, and I found my hips moved with his movements but found that I wanted him again, while yes the toy felt good, and could eventually get me there, I wanted Reth again. I wrapped a hand around the nape of Reth’s neck and brought my lips to his.

“Reth…I want you…”

“I know baby, I want to show you how these things work, can I try the other one?”

I nodded. He nodded in acknowledgment as he took the last toy and put the other one on my clit. The device seemed to suck on my clit. Reth messed with a button and the device’s suction increased, and my orgasm ripped through me, my body quivered, and I felt weak. Reth, then grabbed a contraceptive sleeve, and got up off the bed, he dropped his towel and peeled the sleeve onto his penis and crawled up on me, and entered me again.

Reth turned me out until the sun was beginning to rise.

We were entangled with each other. “Corinth, you need to sleep, I need to sleep. I gotta be at work in a couple of hours.”

“I can’t sleep. I’ll rest my eyes, okay?”

“Sounds good, I’m gonna try to sleep.”

I closed my eyes and let my body relax. I don’t know how much time passed, but eventually, I felt Reth wake up, and groan.

“What does Zeki want?” I heard him mutter. I just pretended to be asleep. I felt the bed shake, as Reth stirred and sat up. He had the night off so I thought? What could Zeki possibly want? I heard Reth get dressed before he slipped out. As soon as the door closed I opened my eyes and sat up, seeing Reth had left.

I frowned but got up. I grabbed my notebook, and the words flowed from my pencil.

I don't need your hand, I need you, yeah
See me dive in the wild, no
You make me feel like someone new
I never knew what time would do
You're dark, I see your soul, I see your soul

Tell me that you hear me
Tell me if it's over
Will you be here in the morning?
The morning
Now Ooh
Tell me that you hear me
Tell me if it's over
Will you be here in the morning?
The morning
Now Ooh
Ooh
Oh
Oh

Run around and get in shit with you
Those the times where I saw dreams come true
Only saw me getting it with you
Feel me now no feel me now oh
Hide away the way that you do
But I belong, long, I belong to you
Feeling something's big bad in you
My daddy's right, my daddy's right, oh

Tell me that you hear me
Tell me if it's over
Will you be here in the morning?
The morning
Now Ooh
Tell me that you hear me
Tell me if it's over
Will you be here in the morning?
The morning

Now Ooh
Oh
Oh
Oh
Now Ooh
Oh
Ha ha hi
Ha ha ha

More than I could ever believe
No chance you'll find another me
I let you, I let you in
Let you in under my skin
More than you could ever believe
No chance you'll find another me
I let you, I let you in
Let you in under my skin
Under my skin
My skin

I let out a breath and wiped away any stray tears that let themselves fall from my eyes. I decided it would be time to talk to Ashura and see if we could come up with a game plan to get Reth out of the Cartel.

Chapter Text

I figured I would see Reth when I stopped by the Inn, so I was surprised to hear that he hadn’t shown up for his shift.

“Corinth, have you seen Reth? I’m assuming the two of you spent the night together last night.”

I blushed, as I rolled my lips over my teeth, and I nodded. There was no use in hiding the fact. “He left this morning; I heard him mention Zeki. I don’t know where he went, or why he’s not here. But I can fill in if you need me to.”

“I’ll accept the help. I hope Reth comes in eventually.”

“I hope so too,” I said, as I pulled on a spare apron and got to work filling drink and soup orders. My thoughts fell to Reth and wondered where the man went to and why he wasn’t there.

During lulls between patrons, I worked on and practiced some new songs for the set I'd be performing tonight and came up with melodies for the new songs when a new guy came in. He was a tall, lanky Majiri I had never seen before, and he approached the bar. I stopped playing and approached the man. He wore a time-weathered fedora with a feather tucked into the dark blue trim.

“Good morning sir, are you new to town? What can I get you?”

The man looked me over, seeming to take notice of my eyes. “Just some sernuk noodle soup and a beer, please.”

I nodded, and the way the man looked at me, unsettled me. I get both items for the man. “Here you go, that’ll be 40 gold unless you’d like for me to start a tab.”

“Yeah, why don’t you do that? You’re pretty for a human, what’s your name gorgeous?”

Something inside of me was screaming not to give him my real name. I looked over at him and recognized the same tattoo that Reth had, so he was with the Cartel too. “Hm. Nice tattoos, if I’m going to give my name, I’d like to know who I am speaking to first.”

“Hm. Cheeky girl, my name is Mikail…”

“Nice to meet you Mikail, I’m Ashley.”

“Oh, I see, how did you learn to play piano? I thought humans couldn’t remember who they were?” Mikail asked, as he drank down half of the bottle of beer and began tucking into the soup.

The man is making me nervous for some reason, and I’m getting bad vibes from him. I knew honesty was my policy, but I also recognized the cartel tattoo. The Inn was pretty dead at the moment. It was just him and I here at the moment.

“Oh. Um. Another human taught me to play the piano. What brings you to Kilima if you don’t mind me asking?”

Mikail nodded as he finished his beer. “Let me get another beer Ashley, also do you know a human by the name of Corinth? I'm looking for her, my boss would like to have a chat with her if at all possible. You look like a girl in the know."

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! Play it cool, don’t react. “Corinth you said? She's actually a friend of mine, she was here just before you came in. She’s the one who taught me to play the piano too...she did mention that she was going to go fishing at Fishermen's Lagoon before going to Mirror Pond to try her luck there if she couldn't find the fish she was looking for so you might want to try those two places. If you don't mind me asking, what do you want with her?”

“Well as I said my boss wants to chat with her seems she's made an enemy out of the Mantis Cartel...”

My heart began racing in my chest, I turned around and my nerves were starting to get the best of me, as I took the cap off the beer, I did my absolute best to not show my nerves as I set the beer down and grabbed the empty bottle. I had to play dumb. “What's the Mantis Cartel? They sound scary. What did she do that was so bad?”

“That's for me to know,” Mikail said, as he finished his soup then got up, quickly guzzling the second beer down. He tossed a hefty bag of coins down on the counter next to his now-empty beer bottle. "There's some extra coin there to buy your silence and if Corinth happens to stop by again keep her here. I'll be back this evening to see if she's turned up. Nice meeting you Ashley.” Mikail said as he tipped his hat and walked out of the Inn.

As soon as he left I knew I needed to let Ashura know what had just happened. I checked in with the last few patrons before rushing upstairs to Ashura’s room and began knocking on the door.

“Be there in a second...”

I waited until the man answered the door. Ashura’s smile faded when he saw my expression. “Corinth, is everything okay?”

I shook my head quickly. “Um. Can we talk in private? I just had a situation come up and I could use someone to talk to.”

“Certainly.” Ashura stepped aside and waved me to walk inside of his room. I had never been in his bedroom. “So, what's going on...”

“Do you remember when I helped Reth out when he got jumped when his deal went south?”

“Yes.” Ashura said, nodding.

“Well, they're here and they're looking for me. I think they might have gotten Reth, I hope nothing happened to him. We were together last night, and he left a little after 6 mentioning something about Zeki.” I said, and Ashura, realizing the gravity of the situation pulled his chair from his desk and motioned for me to sit down.

“Here, sit, you look like you're about to collapse. Do you think he was kidnapped? Come to think about it, Zeki hasn’t opened his store today either. What do they want with you?”

“I shot one of the grimalkins in the Achilles that night to save Reth from potentially getting killed. One of the guys came in looking for me. I'm scared Ashura I gave him a fake name because to be honest I didn't trust him. He gave off bad vibes and I saw his cartel tattoo and it was similar to the one Reth has. I fed him a bullshit story about how Corinth was one of my friends and she told me she was fishing at Mirror Pond and Fisherman's Lagoon...” I tried to take a deep breath to quell my racing heart but adrenaline was flowing through me now. “I don't know what to do Ashura...what if he finds out I'm lying and kills me...” The tears and fear I had been holding back finally broke and I just let it out. Ashura pulled me into his embrace to try and console me.

“I won’t let that happen Corinth. I’ll stay up and help you out downstairs.” Just then he opened a closet door and pulled out what looked like a battle axe. “I won’t let any harm come to you. I promise you that. If he comes in again, say Dari Clove.”

I nodded and swallowed. “I will.”

“Let’s go downstairs, we’re about to get our lunch rush anyway, and you could probably use the extra help.”

The day went by like a blur; soon, however, Mikail was back. He looked pissed. “Ashura, do we have any more Dari Clove?” I said as he set down steins of beer and glanced at the door to see Mikail.

“We always have Dari Clove…I’ll show you where it’s at in the storeroom.” Ashura said as he ran to grab his axe.

Suddenly Mikail pulled out a bow with what looked like a slowdown arrow nocked in place and pointed right at Ashura. “Don’t think about it. You think you can get away with lying to me Corinth.”

“ASHURA!”

“Get behind me!”

Mikail then loosed the arrow right into Ashura’s chest and he went down with a thud. Everyone in the Inn rushed out, I bent down and went to pull the arrow from Ashura’s chest, before I felt a piercing pain hit the middle of my back. I suddenly felt the strong urge to sleep. Everything went black as I collapsed on top of Ashura.

I felt my soul leave my body, and I was watching everything like I was a fly on the wall. Mikail had pulled my limp, unconscious body off of Ashura, and slung it over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes before he pulled the arrow out of my back. He then pulled the arrow out of Ashura’s chest. Our wounds healed but we were under whatever effect the arrows had imbued in them.

“Fuck. I should’ve known, now the whole fucking town’s gonna be on high alert.” Hodari, Hassian, Reth and Zeki entered the Inn just as Mikail turned around. Hassian immediately got an arrow ready and aimed it right between Mikail’s eyes. “What the fuck…”

“Let her go you son of a bitch!” Hassian yelled. Hodari stepped in between the two men.

“Put her down!” Hodari said as he assessed the situation, he then went to check on Ashura and checked for a pulse.

Mikail shook his head. “You’re gonna let me leave with her.”

“I don’t think you’re going anywhere, especially if you want to live. Hassian’s got a temper and impeccable aim, I would suggest you not piss him off any more than he already is. That’s our girl you got there. Reth, get her, Ashura’s fine, passed out. Seems he’s got some sleep arrows equipped in his quiver.”

Reth came forward as Mikail handed me over to him, and Reth quickly brought me upstairs to one of the spare rooms and laid me on the bed. He laid a kiss on my forehead before running back downstairs. I felt a presence next to me and Embra was by my side.

“You have nothing to fear, I’m showing you this, so you know what is going on. I didn’t mean for you and Ashura to get hurt.” Embra said, her form appearing next to me, causing me to jump.

“Am I dead? Or just asleep?”

“Asleep, yes. He shot you both with a sedative arrow.” I watched as Hassian demanded Mikail to put his hands up before he grabbed some rope and tied it around his wrists.

“Where have Reth and Zeki been this whole time?”

“Kidnapped, Hassian rescued them and let Hodari know. They were going to kill you.”

“They were going to kill me?”

“Yeah, but not Mikail, he’s got the same deal Reth did. His mother was ill, the cartel was able to help him get a few extra years with her before she succumbed to her illness. The two other Grimalkin, however, planned to. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I had to intervene. I hope you understand.”

“Thank you. For saving me, I mean.”

The men drag Mikail into the storage room and question him. Mikail is more than willing to cooperate and said he honestly wasn't going to do anything, but do as he was told, which was to deliver me to the grimalkin. He hated being in the cartel and if that was his chance to escape he was going to do it. They let him know they didn’t kill the grimalkin that tried to abduct Reth and Zeki, but if they were to let them go, they didn’t want any more retaliation. Mikail promised he would never be back. He was just going to run and keep running. He was tired of being an errand boy for the cartel. He was tired of injuring people, tired of the beatings and threats.

Upon agreement Hassian cut Mikail out of his binds, meanwhile, Reth and Hodari moved Ashura to his room, and Reth closed the Inn for the rest of the day. He was beaten to hell, but he got his comeuppance on the Grimalkin who brutalized them. Hassian quickly grabbed the first aid kit and took time tending to Reth’s and Zeki’s injuries before Mikail handed over an antidote to the sedative he laced his arrows with, and he slipped out into the night after that. Upon patching both Reth and Zeki up, Hassian too, slipped out to set the two Grimalkin free.

Reth let both Ashura and Corinth sleep for a few hours while he cleaned up the kitchen. Jel stopped at the Inn.

“Oh my Dragon! Reth! What happened…Hassian stopped by and said I should check in on you and Corinth. Where is she?”

“You can guess what happened…I never wanted Corinth to get involved with me and the Cartel.”

“What happened today?”

“They tried to kidnap Zeki and me to lure Corinth out. They…they were going to kill her.”

“What? Why?”

“She injured one of the higher-ups in the Mantis cartel…trying to protect me.”

“That’s your opposition correct?”

Reth could only nod, before he let out a choking sob. I felt tears welling up in my eyes as well. Jel immediately rushed to Reth and carefully put his hands on either side of Reth’s injured face. “Tell me she’s okay. She didn’t get killed did she?”

Reth shook his head as his body was ravaged by full-on sobs. “She’s upstairs asleep, she got shot in the back with a sleep arrow. She was almost taken; Ashura didn’t stand a chance against Mikail.”

“Where are these ruffians…”

“Mikail left town already. He had a raw deal like what the Cartel gave me. I assume he’s going to be dead by the end of the week. The Mantis Cartel is more ruthless than the Adders are when it comes to defectors. They’ll hunt him down and kill him.”

Jel pulled his lips over his teeth and cringed. “You just healed from your last run-in with them.”

“I did this to us, I don’t deserve anyone, especially someone as good as Corinth, she damn near got killed because of me.”

“Reth, you’re talking foolery. Corinth loves you to the moons and back,”

“And I love her just as much if not even more so Jel! If she gets killed by the Mantis Cartel over my stupidity I’ll fucking end myself!” Reth said as he went to grab a knife, but Jel wrapped his arms tightly around the man.

“That’s fools talk! You end yourself; you are killing a part of me too.” Reth tried to struggle against the man but just collapsed into a heap of sobs. Both men collapsed on the floor behind the bar with Jel rubbing the back of Reth’s head as he cried, his tears staining the lapel of Jel’s jacket. “We will find a way out of this Reth.”

“I’m just a fuck up. I fuck everything up around me…why am I even here?”

“Because you have a whole village of people here who love you and want to help you out of this mess Reth. We aren’t going to give up on you. Not Corinth, not I, not Ashura, not your sister...certainly none of the humans that frequent the Inn, day in and day out. We will put our heads together and figure this out. I love you too much to let you end yourself so selfishly, I think I speak for Corinth and myself when I say that.”

The two men stared at each other, and Jel wiped Reth’s tears away. Reth then moved forward and kissed Jel fully on the lips. Meanwhile, I looked at Embra.

“I think I’m ready to find out what my purpose here is; if you don’t mind.”

“You’re ready?”

“Yeah.”

There was a snap of some fingers and a rush of air.

I was laying on a bed, my abdomen was ravaged by painful contractions, I had a large pregnant belly. My belly button was protruding slightly beyond my belly. I was giving birth to a beautiful baby.

Chayne and Sifuu were on the business side between my spread legs, my feet in metal stirrups. “Just a few more pushes Corinth, you got this.” Sifuu encouraged.

“Come on baby,” Reth said, “This is your purpose, you can do it.” He was on my left, holding my left hand.

“Push my huntress,” Hassian said as he was on my right, holding my right hand. I bore down, feeling even more tension stretching my vaginal lips. There was a head there, and lots of pain, stinging and stretching. I let out an exasperated cry of pain.

“Oh, my Dragon! You’re sweating,” Tish said as she wiped a cold wet towel along the corner of my eyebrows.

“She’s crowning! I can see the head!” Sifuu said. “This is my first grandbaby!”

“Ours too, don’t forget that.” I heard Eshe snap.

“Ours too, you old hag!” I could hear Delaila mutter towards Eshe. Was the whole fucking village here?

“The head is almost completely out. Feel your baby Corinth! They’re almost out!” Chayne said, as he grasped my hand from Hassian’s grip and allowed me to feel the baby’s head crowning at my vaginal entrance and I recoiled back shock before I laid back on the bed. Whose baby was this? Who got me pregnant? Why was everyone in the village here?

There were hands along my sides, Kenyatta’s hands. “She’s having another contraction, push hard Corinth. Bear down.”

I pushed with everything I had in me as I did previously. Pain ravaged my body, from right under my diaphragm to my vaginal lips, being stretched and pushed to their limits. “Ashura, grab the numbing oil, I don’t want her tearing if I can avoid it.”

“This fucking hurts!” I grunted.

“Baby, remember our breathing techniques.” Nai’o suddenly came into my vision and began breathing and I tried replicating the breathing. It helped calm me down before another contraction rocked my body.

“HOLY FUCK!”

“Push hard Corinth! You can probably get the baby’s head out with this one. Now! Go!”

I bore down as hard as I could. Something gave way, and I could feel the baby’s head appear outside of me. “Oh perfect, good job, relax, on the next contraction, we’ll have them out. Focus on your breathing Corinth, you are championing through this.”

I was out of breath, sweating, and giving everything I had in me to get this baby out. “They’re not…out…yet?”

“No, that was just the head dearie, you got the shoulders and the rest of ‘em left…the head is the hardest part though, believe me.”

“Fuck me.”

“That’s what got you here in the first place mon amour.” Jel wittingly said and gave him a death glare.

“I’d like to see you fucking try to push a nine-pound log of shit out your asshole Jel Omiata!”

Tamala, Ashura, Tish, Reth, and Hassian busted out laughing. While Eshe let out an exclamation of shock. Jel cringed and blushed before he hid his face. “No need to be so crass!”

Dalaila glanced at the tailor. “She’s got a point, that’d be a sight to see.”

“Okay, let’s give her room to breathe, she needs all her strength to get the rest of the baby out. Jel if you can’t keep quiet you can leave. I don’t need her getting stressed out.” Kenyatta said, as she stroked her hands over my belly.

“Oh my God, that feels soothing Kenyatta.”

“I know, the massage will help make sure the placenta detaches correctly. You’re about to have another contraction, do you need anything before you push again, water? A cool cloth? Anything?”

“Water and the cloth. I feel like I’m burning up.”

“You’re going to, you’re exerting a lot of energy right now. Tish, keep her cool, Jina, give her some water, please. Reth, Hassian, hold her hands, she’s going to need to bear down hard.”

“Don’t break my hand.” Reth teased, and I glared at him. “Or break it, it’ll heal. I’d rather you give birth to a healthy baby, even if it means I won’t be able to eat soup for the next six weeks.”

Tish was rubbing my face down with a cool cloth. Jina offered a ladle full of ice water. “Jina, can you pour that over my head please?”

“Uh, is that okay?”

“Whatever will help at this point, Jina. We need Corinth in a good mindset.”

Jina did just that, Tish was there drying the water from my face and neck. It felt amazing. Just then my abdomen was overcome with a huge contraction. “Here we go. Push hard Corinth, you got this baby.”

I pushed down as hard as I could, both Reth and Hassian crying out in pain with me as I crushed their hands in my grip.

“That’s it Corinth! That’s it! Push with everything in ya!” I could hear Dalaila screech in encouragement.

“Push, push, push, push, push…” Tish encouraged. Kenyatta too, chanted push as well.

I pushed until there was no tension left, I felt the baby’s shoulders move past the hole in my pelvis, and my uterus shifted before my womb felt empty. I could hear a baby crying. “It’s a boy! It’s a beautiful baby boy!” I heard Sifuu exclaim.

“You did it, Corinth!” Chayne said, as he bundled the baby in a blanket, and began wiping the blood and amniotic fluid off of him. “He’s a strong, healthy mixed majiri human baby. Someone help Corinth take off her shirt, I’m going to clean him up a bit more before I lay him on her chest.”

Kenyatta was the one to do the honors of removing my shirt. My breasts were swollen, and my nipples had darkened to a dark brown hue from the light brown they normally were. Chayne then laid my baby boy on my chest. I looked him over, and his eyes were still closed but he slowly opened them, and I found myself breathless. He was the single most beautiful thing I had ever had the privilege to lay my eyes on.

“Oh dearie, he’s precious. Can I try to get him to latch on? The sooner he latches on and drinks colostrum from you the faster your uterus will deliver the afterbirth and begin the process of healing.”

I was still trying to catch my breath and take in what just happened to me but nodded. I had no idea what to do from this point. Dalaila gently grasped my left breast and began massaging it, and she managed to get a drop of colostrum to come out of my nipple, she then turned my son’s head toward it, as soon as the drop hit his lower lip, he seemed to know exactly what to do, his mouth enveloped my nipple and he latched right on.

My stomach was rocked with more painful contractions but I grinned and bore it. “Wow, he latched on right away.”

“That’s the sign of a strong connection right there.”

“Ugh, I could hire a wet nurse to do this for Corinth.” I heard Eshe say.

“If it’s good enough for me, Hassian, Reth, Tish, and the rest of us common majiri, it’s good enough for…what are we naming him?” Nai’o asked, and I shrugged.

I was just falling in love with my baby. He had slightly pointed ears, and a full head of dark brown hair with blonde, white, and red streaks. One eye was half brown and half green and a blue eye that seemed to be a mix of blues as well. His skin has a purple hue somewhere between pink and Hassian’s dark purple skin. We stared at each other, and he gave a small sleepy smile.

“Did he just smile?”

“He did.”

“Who wants to cut the cord? She’s started to contract to deliver the afterbirth, so we need to do it before it detaches.”

“Reth, I think you should, you’re the one who organized all of this.”

“Uh, are you sure? I think Ashura should honestly.”

“We all should do it. Everyone who contributed anyway.”

“Corinth? Do you have any suggestions?”

“You guys should all do it if you’re gonna fight over it..”

Surrounding me were the majority of the people from Kilima. Loving this baby like it's their own and it's puzzling cause Ashura and Tamala are even there. Reth kisses me, followed by Jel and Ashura. Ashura? What? Since when do things become romantic with him?

He even said something about the baby being a part of the village. Who exactly was the father?

They are all doting on the baby, while he’s feeding from me. The cord ends up getting cut before they all start pointing out characteristics they see in themselves and each other.

Embra what is going on? I don’t understand. There's Tish, Kenyatta, and Jina...why were they all pointing out things as well? Females can’t have babies with other females. Right? Why did this baby look like the perfect amalgamation of everyone in the room?

‘Get this book, it will explain everything Corinth.’ A voice speaks in the back of my mind. A book in the library deep in Caleri’s forbidden section shows up in my mind. Written by Maji to help The Majiri people understand their bodies while undergoing puberty. It's supposedly a pretty chaotic time. More chaotic than humans.

‘It will help you understand the differences between Majiri and Humans. You are perfectly capable of cross-breeding. This is my will for you. To bring forth a new race and to make the Majiri and Humans one. To live in peace and harmony on this planet.’

‘I think that’s enough information for one night, don’t you? Time to wake up.’

I opened my eyes. I was still at the Inn, I was still dressed, but lying on top of the blankets, Jel, was underneath the covers in the bed next to me. Only a few hours had gone by it seemed. I could tell he was topless. I didn’t know if he had underwear or pants on underneath the blankets, but I sat up quietly so as to not disturb the slumbering man next to me.

I could tell it was late afternoon from where the sun was in the sky. I think it was still Friday, meaning I had to still perform my show tonight. I felt groggy, so I didn’t sleep enough, but more importantly, my stomach was growling at me. It did sound like Reth was downstairs, along with Ashura. So, I slipped out of the room, allowing Jel to sleep. I walked downstairs, to find that the Inn was still closed.

“Ah, there’s sleeping beauty. Are you okay?” Ashura said, and his compliment made me blush. Especially after the dream I had.

“I still have a hole in my shirt where the arrow pierced but other than that, I’m okay. I’m a bit groggy and hungry though.”

“Makes sense, you haven’t eaten since probably yesterday,” Ashura said, as he patted the stool next to him. “Have a sit-down, I’ll grab ya some coffee and some breakfast,” Ashura said, and I glanced around to find Reth passed out in a chair in a dark corner of the Inn, sleeping away his clothes disheveled.

“Are you not opening the Inn tonight? I think I’m up for performing if you want me to.”

Ashura shook his head, “No, we went through an ordeal. I don’t want Reth to work in his current state. We could do with a break too, you worked your tail off earlier trying to keep this place running before that Majiri from the Mantis Cartel decided to ruin the day by shootin’ the both of us. Reth’s condition didn’t seem to stop Jel from defiling my bar though. I found some of their handwork on some kitchen towels when I came down moments ago. Don’t worry, they’re in the laundry pile.”

I could feel my face heat up. “Oh, oh my. They got up to shenanigans didn’t they?”

“Well I ain’t surprised, they’ve always been hot n’ cold since Reth showed up here in Kilima. Now, I guess I know why.” Ashura said as he set a mug of steaming hot coffee in front of me before he cracked some eggs in a pan along with a few strips of chapaa bacon. “I guess that leads me to you, you’re being safe right?”

“Of course. Chayne gave me the talk and gave me the box of contraceptive…”

Ashura cut me off there. “Good, Chayne is a great guy, he’s been a good friend to me. You should talk about the dream you had with him.”

“How’d you—”

“You talk in your sleep. I heard you mention my name but couldn’t understand much after that except you were talking about being pregnant. I’m assuming you were confiding in me, which I’m flattered you would come to me, and you can come to me for advice should you need it.”

“I-I’m not. No. Nothing like that…. I’m not pregnant, not right now anyway, it’d be too soon to tell anyway. I’ve used sleeves with everyone, well, except one person, but I don’t think I needed to use a sleeve with them. Embra was showing me some things about my future, that’s all. Speaking of which, would Caleri be in her library?”

“She always opens the place at 6 am on the dot, the woman’s been punctual for as long as I’ve known her. If you’ve been unprotected, you might be with child Corinth. It doesn’t have to do with your dream, right?”

“It does actually, I need to do some research and read up more about the courting rituals and whatnot of the Majiri. I’m well aware of how my body works but not quite aware of what the differences are between Humans and Majiri. The person I was with was of the same sex, same-sex relationships from my understanding, can’t create children, from what I’m aware. I mean that’s how it works for us humans anyway.”

“As far as I’m aware we all have the same parts, regarding what’s below the belt but…” Ashura let out a breath. “You might still be with child though, who was it with?”

“Um, Ashura, I’m not going to say. I don’t want anyone to get in trouble. Women can’t produce sperm, and sperm is needed for fertilization though, that’s been my knowledge so far, but a bit more research wouldn’t hurt I feel. I’d like to make a good hypothesis.”

“Oh there’s that word Jina uses a lot; I don’t even know what that means.”

“Hypothesis means making an educated guess. You basically guess using the information you have available to you.”

“Ah, I see. So can I hypothesize you’d like your eggs runny with some toast?”

I let out a laugh and nodded. “Yes, that would be a very accurate hypothesis.”

“Good, Corinth, I don’t want to worry you, but if you had labia to labia contact with the female in question I—”

“We didn’t. Nothing of the sort, we used our mouths and fingers. There was no exchange of fluids except when kissing each other. That’s it. I mean it’s impossible anyway---”

Ashura then snapped at me before practically dropping the plate of food he prepared down on the bar in front of me. “I wouldn’t do anything with anyone else until you’ve done your research, that’s all I’m going to say.”

I swallowed and snapped my mouth shut, I blinked a few times. “I’m sorry. I won’t.”

“You better not. If you don’t understand the differences between us, then you should do your research.” Ashura then realized how sharp and abrupt his tone had become, and he took in a deep breath. “I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve my anger towards you Corinth. I just…I don’t want you expecting a child before you’re prepared, you’ve only been here for a month, and you’ve already been intimate with multiple people. I worry about you, please just take my advice and do your research about all of this. There’s a reason why you had that dream, heed my advice, do your research.”

“I will Ashura, I will.”

“Good, again, I’m sorry for taking my anger out on you.”

“I forgive you Ashura, you’re good. Thanks for breakfast.” I said, as I began eating my breakfast. “Would it be okay if I practiced my new songs and figured out a set list for tonight?”

“Have at it, I’m going to clean up here and go fishing.”

“Oh, that reminds me, I need to find out where I can catch a Golden Salmon. It’s for a recipe Reth needs.”

“You can tag along I suppose…” He trailed off as he contemplated something. “...I've been working on a very important letter and...I... uh...could use a second opinion. You feel up to it?”

“Yeah, whatever you need Ashura.” I said, looking at the man, and he nodded before turning around to wash the cast iron pan he had cooked my breakfast in. I quickly ate my breakfast.

“Good, I’ll be upstairs waiting for you, here,” Ashura said as he set a key down next to my empty plate on the bar. “The key to my bedroom, should another situation arise again, you can just come in and seek refuge should you need it.”

I nodded. “Thank you, let me clean my plate and I’ll come straight up. When did you want me to do my set? Tomorrow? I kind of had plans with Nai’o…”

“Don’t worry about it, Corinth. You’re good. There’s always next week. You deserve some time for yourself too. Check on Reth and Jel, they should probably be waking up soon anyway. Jel’s got a line of people waiting at his shop.”

“Yeah, I can do that,” I said, as I hopped off the bar stool, grabbed my plate, washed it in the kitchen sink, dried it and set it on a stack of plates. I walked over to Reth. His right eye was swollen shut, he had bruises and lacerations on his forehead that were bandaged. His lower lip was split, but it had scabbed over. His clothes were ripped in various places, and I could feel myself frown. I didn’t want to wake the man, but I knew he’d probably sleep better in a bed.

“Reth, Reth-baby,” Reth began to stir, “Hey sexy beast, are you going to wake up?”

“Am I dreaming? Corinth? Corinth!” Reth shot up out of the chair and wrapped his arms around me in a crushing hug. “You’re awake! Are you okay? Did you eat? Was I dreaming or did you just call me a sexy beast?”

“You’re silly! No, you’re clearly hugging me, so you’re not dreaming baby, you are a sexy beast.”

“Um, is the Inn even open?”

“No Ashura closed it for the day, he wants you to take the day and rest up.”

“That’s nice of him.”

“You should probably take him up on it, feel free to go to Tish’s house, or my house and sleep if you want.”

Reth let out a sigh of exasperation. “Can I just go to your house and sleep? I don’t even want to see Tish in the state I’m in. I won’t hear the end of it.”

“Whatever you want to do. I need to go wake Jel up and get you a golden salmon for his appetizer.”

“Babe, that can wait, I need to make sure I have space in the freezer in the storeroom for it first.”

“Well, you can do that before you head up to my house. I got the key, so when I get the salmon all nice and clean for you, I can wrap it up and put it in there.”

Reth’s eyes glazed over my body. “Are you coming back to your house tonight?”

“Eventually. I don’t know when though.”

“Okay. I’ll see about having some food made for you, maybe we can try some other things tonight in bed…”

“Reth, you need to heal, sex in your condition is out of the question, speaking of which, did you and Jel patch things up?”

Reth blushed, “Something like that. I can talk about that when I see you later tonight.”

“I look forward to that,” I said, as I hugged him. “See you later baby,”

I turned on my heel and went upstairs as I could hear Reth go downstairs to his storeroom. I walked into the room both Jel and I slept in. The man was still asleep. I figured I’d take a moment and watch the man sleep in peace before I decided to wake him up.

I ran my fingers along his collarbone when his eyes shot open, and he grasped my hand causing me to jump. “Oh, you’re awake. Did you need something?”

“Yeah, I was tasked to wake you up. You have a line outside of your shop. I figured I’d tell you.”

“Oh dear!” Jel said as he shot up which confirmed to me, that he was completely nude underneath the sheets. I felt my face heat up as I spun around so my back was to him to allow him privacy.

“Oh, I’ll leave you alone so you can get dressed, you’re up now so I’ll see you later.”

“Mon Dragon, I forgot I was indecent.”

“You’re good, I’ll check in with Ashura.” I said as I walked out of the room, heading toward the end of the hall where Ashura’s room was, and knocked on the door. Ashura opened the door and allowed me inside.

I looked up at the man. “So, what kind of letters did you want me to look at?”

“We'll...uh...talk about that after you take a look. It's difficult to explain, best you read them first. The letters are on my desk.”

“Okay. I’ll take a look.”

Upon reading the letters, both were addressed to his son Nuroo. Seemed he wanted to make amends with him after years of not communicating. I looked up at Ashura. “I read both letters, it seems like you’re in a tough situation.”

“I certainly am. My son, Nuroo, and I have not spoken in several years. He decided to follow my family's Path in the military and I... did not approve. I overreacted and scared him away. But that was years ago, and I regret it now. I've been trying to figure out a way to tell him I want him back in my life. So, I wrote two letters as you can see.” Ashura said as he pointed towards the desk. “One taking responsibility for my actions and another that tells him how much it would have meant to his mother for us to reconcile. I've been having a hard time deciding which one to send.”

“I know it’s difficult to do, but I think you should send the one where you apologize and admit that you were wrong. That way you leave the choice to him, and if he should accept your apology you both will have a clean slate to start over.”

“It's a hard choice, but you're right. I have to own up to my mistakes. I’ll send that one out. I hope we can get on the right foot again,”

“I wish you and your son the best Ashura. I’m glad I was able to help.”

“Thank you, are you ready to go fishing?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” I said, looking up at Ashura. We left to go fishing on the river northwest of the village. I managed to catch five golden salmon, and some other fish, even a flame tongue ray. We took our fish back to the Inn and cleaned them up. I wrapped all the salmon I caught in parchment paper before bringing them downstairs and placing them in the freezer. I also managed to have some potatoes and garlic which I stuck in the fridge. There was just enough space.

I was happy to at least get that done.

I decided to head to the library to see if I could get a list of people who had overdue books. Caleri mentioned it to me in passing, but I was entirely too busy at the time to help her track down missing books. Now that my schedule was lightening up, I figured it was time to get the know the woman a bit more.

“Corinth! Just who I wanted to see. You will not believe my shame. I have let three precious volumes slip through my grasp.”

“Yeah, I can get those books for you now, if you need anything else, let me know.”

“I made the mistake of loaning the volumes out. To Kenyatta, Jina, and Auni. Now they are OVERDUE. If they aren't returned soon, I'll have no choice but to retire from my Path as a librarian. For the good of the community!”

“A little overdramatic don’t you think? Over three overdue books?”

“I take great pride in running this library, and the people in this village are making me realize that maybe they don’t deserve the knowledge I bring them,” Caleri said as she pinched the bridge of her nose and loudly exhaled. “No matter, go get these books for me and I will give you a share of the fees,” Caleri said, as she handed over a list of names with overdue books.

I shrugged. “Okay. I’ll get right on it.” I said, as I walked out of the library to happen upon Kenyatta, she was still sporting the heart drop lily in her hair, but more importantly, she was wearing Nai’o’s pin.

“C-Corinth, I wasn’t expecting to run into you at the library,” Kenyatta said, as she blushed.

I smiled. “I take it things went well with Nai’o…”

She licked her lips and nodded. “Yes, they were amazing.”

“That’s good! Hey, do you happen to have an overdue book?”

Kenyatta’s eyes brightened in recognition. “Yes. I do, but I loaned it to Nai’o like…a week ago so he’d have something to read while he sat at the stables all day. He still has the book.”

“Okay, no big deal, I’ll go get the book from him.” I said, as I was about to rush off, but Kenyatta caught my hand.

“What are you doing next week? Wednesday?”

I shrugged, “No idea,”

“I want to take you and Nai’o to the bay, if you could get Nai’o out of farm chores that night, that’d be great. You have the power of persuasion with Badruu and Dalaila, they seem to really like you.”

“Oh, yeah, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks gorgeous, I’ll catch you around.” I blushed.

“See you around Kenny.” I said as I took off towards the stables, knowing Nai’o would be hanging out there.

“Hey Cori, how are you doing today?” Nai’o said, as he shoveled grain into the trough for the riffroc.

“I’m good, did Kenyatta happen to give you a book about a week ago? Caleri sent me to get it, it’s overdue.”

“Oh okay, sure,” Nai’o said as he walked back into the stables. He came back out after about a minute with the book and handed it to me. “Here you go, will I see you Saturday?”

“Yes, Nai’o. I’ll be by to help you take care of your chores.”

“Oh okay, good. Is there anything you’d want to eat?”

“I’ve been kind of obsessed with chili oil dumplings lately, but whatever you decide to fix will be fine.”

“Okay, I’ll figure out something. Can’t wait for tomorrow.”

“I know, will I see you at the Inn tonight?”

I frowned and shook my head. “The Inn is shut down tonight. It’ll reopen tomorrow, some things went down, and Ashura thought it best to close it down for the rest of the day.”

“Oh Dragon! What happened?”

“Let’s just say something bad nearly happened to me, Ashura was brought into it, trying to prevent said bad thing from happening. Hassian, Reth and Zeki saved the day.”

“What bad thing?”

“Nai’o, I really don’t want to say anything, it’s not my place.”

“Well, I’m here to talk whenever you need to. You look tired.”

“Yeah I am, but these books aren’t going to turn them in themselves.”

Nai’o frowned. “They’re already overdue though. What’s a bit more time? You look like you could use a friend right now.”

“Nai’o I appreciate the sentiment, but I really should get those books,”

Nai’o frowned, “Whatever it is, I’ll keep it between us, I’m worried about you.”

Something about Nai’o’s expression caused me to give in. I let out a breath and nodded, as Nai’o opened the door to the stables and waved me inside. I hopped over the fence and walked inside the stables. Nai’o pulled a chair out and waved me over to it. As soon as I sat down, the words just vomited out of me.

“I was almost kidnapped earlier. I don’t know what you know about the Cartel, but Reth has been their errand boy since he moved here. He got into a spot of trouble while delivering packages in Bahari Bay. I rescued him that night. I guess the deal went south with the Mantis Cartel, which is the cartel opposing the Adders, which both Zeki and Reth are a part of.” I sucked in a breath, and paused, to make sure Nai’o understood.

“Wait, Reth and Zeki are both a part of the Cartel? Wow, you know, that makes sense now, Zeki’s gifted my parents with some pretty useful and expensive things. I have no idea how he even came across them, but him being with the Cartel, it just makes sense. Also Reth’s schedule, how he seems to disappear, and how he comes back looking rough sometimes…what made him want to join?”

“Tish, she’s been sick and nearly died, Reth exchanged his freedom for the flow-infused flower you see in her hair. It’s keeping her alive and healthy.”

“I—wow. That’s heavy, but why are the Mantis after you?”

“That night that I rescued Reth from getting beat to death, I shot one of the grimalkins beating Reth in their Achilles tendon, and they wanted to kill me for that. They kidnapped Reth and Zeki, but Hassian saw what was going on and rescued both of them before they came to the Inn just as one of the Majiri henchmen had shot both Ashura and me with sedative arrows. So, I’m a little freaked out, and just want things to go back to normal. If Reth, Hassian, and Zeki had been any later, I wouldn’t be here.”

Nai’o shook his head. “Wow. I wish I had the words. Do you think they’ll be back?”

“I hope not. But I wish I could get my frustrations out on that piano.”

“Leave that to me Cori, I’ll see if I can convince Ashura, you sound like you could have a night just pouring your guts out on a piano. You go get those books…check back at the Inn around 7,”

“What time is it now?”

“A little past five, I’m about to call it a day anyway. I’ll pop by and see Ashura.”

“You don’t have to go out of your way for me Nai’o.”

“We all need to let our hair down sometimes. I’ll see what I can do.”

“I’m not getting out of this am I?”

“Nope. I like you a lot Cori, and I don’t like seeing you like this.” Nai’o said, as he curled a finger underneath my chin and turned my head to look up at him. His lips landed on mine in a chaste kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he lifted me out of the chair, he deepened the kiss. He pinned me against one of the walls of the stables and wrapped my legs around his waist. We kissed with reckless abandon. Nai’o’s hands were all over my body.

I pulled away breathless. “Are you trying to kiss all the bad feelings out of me?”

“Somethin’ like that,” Nai’o said as his lips moved to my neck and his hands fell upon my breasts. “I’m curious what you taste like…down there.”

Heat rushed to my face, “Kenyatta’s got you curious, didn’t she?”

“Mmhm…can I?”

“Mm, yes,”

As soon as the yes left my lips, I was let down before Nai’o’s rough farm hands peeled off my pants and panties I then was hoisted up onto Nai’o’s shoulders, this time, Nai’o’s face was between my legs and his hands gripped my ass before his lips kissed my womanhood. He quickly found my clit and began lapping at it. I wrapped my hands around one of the rafters of the barn and I bit my lip hard. Nai’o would switch up his pattern from tongue-fucking me to sucking at my clit with dizzying speed.

Soon I was bringing my hips to meet Nai’o’s face, my orgasm was about to hit. “Nai’o…you’re doing so good, I’m gonna cum…”

“Hm…come for me Corinth, let me taste you.”

With a series of moans, my body exploded. Nai’o’s name left my lips like a prayer. Nai’o’s lips and tongue didn’t leave me, and I spilled myself into his awaiting mouth as he brought me back down to Earth slowly and gently. The day’s events were now just fodder floating somewhere in the back of my mind. Nai’o let me down but instead of letting me stand, he sat me back down in the chair, meaning I was at eye level with Nai’o’s hips. I immediately undid Naio’s trousers and pulled his cock out and immediately took his erection into my mouth.

“Let me take care of you now.”

“C-Corinth…fuck!”

Nai’o was a noisy little shit, but I appreciated hearing him moan, mewling, grunt, and groan. He sounded so erotic especially when I squeezed the base of his cock to stop him from coming three times. I knew I’d help him build stamina this way, but it seemed to drive Nai’o insane, and he finally took control, gripping my hair and essentially skull fucking me until his cum hit the back of my throat. I swallowed everything he gave me. He released his grip on my hair and I pulled away with a popping noise. He was wild-eyed, breathless, and satisfied.

Just then Sugarfoot let out a loud exhale, causing us to laugh. “I think Sugarfoot knows what we’ve been up to.”

“Probably, that however, was great. Hopefully that cheered you up a bit.”

I got up on wobbly legs and got my panties and pants back on. “Oh yeah, hopefully, it did the same for you.” Nai’o tucked himself back into his trousers.

Nai’o then pulled me into a bruising hug. I wrapped my arms around the man, and we held each other in a tight embrace, parting with a kiss. “I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

“Me either,” I said, as Nai’o walked me out of the stables.

“I’ll talk to Ashura, I’ll meet you back at the Inn at seven.”

“Sounds good,” I said, as I took off to go see Jina.

Chapter Text

My feet carried me to Mirror Pond to find Jina and Hekla had already started their walk to the Library. Jina looked surprised to see me.

“Corinth! What are you doing here, honey?”

I took a moment to catch my breath as I ran straight there. “Did you have an overdue book?”

Jina’s eyes widened in recognition. “Oh, yes, I checked out a book about the natural history of Kilima Valley. Come to think of it, I haven't seen it in a while. I must have left it somewhere by the Phoenix Shrine. Would you mind finding it for me? I've been so busy categorizing the fossilized flow samples that I haven't had time to return it.”

“Oh, no problem,” I said as Jina and I made eye contact. I leaned forward and kissed Jina on the lips. "I did miss these lips, though. I’ll catch you later…”

“Wait, Corinth! Did you happen to get out to Bahari Bay to check out those ruins yet?”

I shook my head. “Sadly, not yet. My plate has been a bit full as of late.”

“Oh, of course,” Jina said, as she turned red with embarrassment. “Will you be at the Inn tonight?”

“I’m not sure. Nai’o said he would talk to Ashura for me.” I could feel a pit of anxiety rising from my stomach, threatening to spill over into a full-on panic attack. “Uh, things got a bit…crazy at the Inn earlier. Ashura wants to shut things down for a bit, but I’m sure I’ll hear back either way.” I said, and Jina gave me a look of sympathy.

“Did it have to do with Reth?”

“Something like that, look, let me go find that book for you. We can talk about all of this some other time.” I said, as I turned on my heel and waved at Jina.

“Okay, see you later then,” Jina said, and I gave a quick nod of acknowledgement before I ran up to the Phoenix Shrine area. I quickly found the book sitting just inside the Temple of Waves. A bout of exhaustion quickly hit me and since I was by the plots, I decided I should probably wash up and take a quick nap. Sleep, however, didn’t come to me, but I did lie down and rest for a bit.

I figured it was just the side effect of the sleep arrow. Luckily, I didn’t have to go far to find Auni.

“Hey-a Corinth! I’ve got a couple of letters for you, and when I was dropping off mail to Nai’o, he said you might want this,” Auni said, as he pulled out his overdue book from his backpack. “Tell Caleri I’m coming in for volume two of this book, The Adventures of Jainn Rattigan. It's one of my favorites so far. I haven't returned it yet, because I've been so busy with chores, I haven't had time. He said I could give you the book...if you helped me find some garlic for my Mom? I promise to use the time to finally finish the book.”

“Fine, go read it on my couch, I’ll find you a spare garlic clove or two,” I said, pointing inside my house.

“Gee! Thanks! Also, Nai’o told me to tell you that Ashura will let you play at the Inn tonight, but to hold off an hour, I guess he’s still not feeling that great.”

“Oh, that’s fine. It was pretty eventful at the Inn today anyway.” I said, “Did you want anything to drink?”

“Oh, no thanks, I’m just going to finish this book while you look for the garlic. I think I have a few pages left.”

“Okay, I’ll be back then,” I said, as I began rummaging through my storage to find the garlic Auni needed. Luckily, I still had tons from foraging and set two large cloves on the coffee table in front of Auni. He quickly read his pages before grabbing the cloves of garlic and setting the book down on the coffee table where the garlic cloves once were.

“Thank you for letting me finish the book, I gotta get this to Ma, I’ll see you around Corinth!” And with that, Auni left my house and took off out the gate. I let out a snort of amusement as I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already after seven.

“Shit!” I said, as I too took off out of my plot, I quickly turned in the overdue books to Caleri. “Hey Caleri, I don’t have a lot of time, but here are the books!” I said as I pulled the books out of my backpack and plopped them haphazardly onto Caleri’s desk. She picked them up and sifted through them.

Caleri then looked at me with a raised eyebrow, “Interesting...yes, I suppose these are the tomes I lent out. Were there no other extra books you encountered during your search? Perhaps one of those individuals checked out two?”

“No, not that I know of, I didn’t pry, though, you don’t trust me?”

“Very well...well as you are still standing here. I suppose you expect compensation for your task.”

“Were you looking for something specific?” I asked, looking at her. “I can find it tomorrow; I don’t think I’ll have time to find it tonight. I’m due at the Inn in…” I glanced at a clock on the wall. “27 minutes.”

“That would be none of your business. The job of a librarian involves a certain level of discretion. Still, I suppose you expect compensation for your task. Here. Some of the late fees I have collected. I hope this suffices. You can also have some bibs and bobs I’ve found lying around, no doubt Tish probably left them behind while she was researching new furniture designs. Here, I won’t keep you.” Caleri said, as she handed over a sack of gold, five sernuk hides, and five pieces of leather.

“Thanks, I’ll see you around Caleri.”

“Take care.”

I immediately ran into the Inn and saw that Ashura had reopened it. I saw Ashura pouring beer for some humans and approached him. “Hey, big guy, you didn’t want to take the night off?”

Ashura smirked and shook his head. “Nah, I haven’t had a night off since mourning Sabine’s death, I don’t think that’s going to stop anytime soon…” Just then, Zeki whistled for a refill on his beer. “I’m coming Zeki!” He then turned to me. “Why don’t you go get settled in at the piano? Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

“All of the above, Ashura.”

“Okay, I think Reth will be here soon, too. I’ll send him by with some drinks and food.”

“No problem, Ashura. I’m on it.” I said, as I set my backpack next to the piano and stretched out my hands, making sure to get them ready to play a three-hour set before setting out to find my lyric sheets. Once I had them, I set them on the piano and pulled up the key cover.

“Hey! There’s the woman of my dreams…” Reth said as he began to approach me, he still looked rough, but Jel and Tish were in tow behind him, but Ashura hailed for him to come into the kitchen. “Oh, duty calls, I’ll be back.” As he stepped towards the Kitchen.

“Corinth! How are you hun! Ooh! I can’t wait for tonight!” Tish said with excitement, and I found myself blushing.

“Well, it’s going to be a lot of the same songs you guys heard last week with a couple of new ones thrown in.”

“Whatever you decide to play will be beautiful as always, my muse. I await to hear your new material with great anticipation.” Jel said before he turned to Tish. “Tish, dear, shall we find a place to sit?”

Tish nodded before she blew me a kiss. “Good luck, honey, what do you humans say? Is it break a leg?”

“I think that’s the right saying, yeah,” I said, nodded.

“Then break a leg, but not literally because you know…”

I let out a laugh. “I know what you mean, Tish. Go enjoy the show.” I said, as I gave her a little spank to hurry her along, and she let out this mix of a moan and a squeak before catching up to Jel.

I sat down at the piano just as Reth came up to me, with a tray with what looked like spicy chili oil dumplings, a bowl of loaded potato soup, five shots of apple rum, and a tall glass of iced sweet leaf tea. “Ashura said you were hungry and thirsty. I gotta feed my favorite songstress only the best.”

“I’ll take the chili oil dumplings, but you keep the soup.”

“What? You’re turning down my famous loaded potato soup? Are you feeling okay?”

“Milk-based foods before singing a three-hour set probably isn’t for the best, Reth, I’m sorry, baby.”

“It’s all good, babe. It’s all good. Tish loves this stuff, so she’ll eat it. Let me set this stuff down here so you can grub and focus on turning this place upside down.”

“Thank you babe,” I said, as I watched Reth put a shot of apple rum down, the glass of tea, and the bowl of chili oil dumplings down on the piano. I promptly took the shot and tucked into the dumplings. They were insanely delicious and packed enough heat to get my throat going. Right as the clock hit 8 pm, I launched into my set.

Soon, people were dancing, and the Inn became vivacious. Three hours pass fairly quickly, and soon Ashura stops me, and I take a bow before handing me another shot. “Here, kiddo, you deserve it.”

“Thank you,” I said, as I tossed the shot back.

Reth then approaches me, his eyes scanning over my body. “Hey, babe, I needed your help down in the storage room. Wanna come down with me, real quick?”

“Sure baby, what for?”

“Uh, I needed your help with something real quick,”

I shrugged while I handed my empty shot glass back to Ashura. “Sure.”

Ashura looks between the two of us and shakes his head. “Make it quick Reth.”

“Quick is my middle name,” Reth replied snarkily as he grabbed my hand and pulled me down to the storage room.

As soon as he shut and locked the door, he pounced on me. His lips crashed onto mine, and the kiss became all-consuming. I soon found myself pinned with my back against a wall. My clothes came off at record speed, but Reth balled up my panties and shoved them into my mouth. “Mmph…”

“I need you as quiet as possible. The moment you’re too loud, I’ll pull away. Understood?” Reth asked, his eyes meeting mine and I nodded in understanding. He then got down on his knees and hooked my right knee over his shoulder and began doing down on me. My excitement started to build, and he added his fingers, curling them against my spot with every thrust of his tongue against my clit. Try as I might to keep quiet, my moans were becoming too loud and Reth pulled his mouth away and fingers away. “Sh…are you ready for the main course baby?”

I let myself calm down and nodded while Reth cleared off a part of the counter. “Walk over to the counter and bend over.” I did as I was told, the cool countertop teased my hard nipples. I heard Reth fumble with his pants before the fabric hit the floor. I heard him roll a contraceptive sleeve over his cock before he lined his cock up to my entrance and pushed his hips forward, entering me until his hips were flush with my backside before he snapped his hips back then forward again. “I’ve wanted to do this since that make-out session in here…”

I moaned; it was so punishingly good. With every thrust, my nipples would drag onto the cool countertop. Reth grabbed my arms and pulled them behind me, as if using my body for leverage to angle his thrusts deeper and deeper inside of me. He let go of one of my hands and he reached around to strum my clit in quick succession, and it was enough to send me over the edge. I moaned loudly, but Reth too, reached the summit with me and fell over the edge as well. He moaned obnoxiously as he rode out his orgasm. I felt like I was made of jelly as I melted into the countertop. Reth slowly withdrew himself from me, allowing me to pull myself from the countertop and spit out my panties from my mouth.

“That was…wow…” I said out of breath. I pulled on my panties, which were still wet with my saliva, and started picking up my clothes around the storage room, throwing them on.

“I’ve been wanting to do that all night…thanks for indulging me,” Reth said, as he pulled the now-filled contraceptive sleeve off. He disposed of it before pulling up his pants. I finished getting dressed, and Reth kissed me again. “Let’s go back upstairs, shall we?”

When we got upstairs, I could hear Tish being boisterous while Ashura gave me a knowing look and wink before shaking his head. Oh, he did know what we were up to.

“Corinth! You were so amazing tonight!” Tish says as she twirled around before losing her balance and flopping right into me, luckily, I was able to catch her. I looked over at Jel, who seemed to have his head in his hands.

“Thank you, hun, how much have you had to drink tonight?” I asked, looking at Tish as I ushered her back to the table.

“She’s polished off a half bottle of apple rum all by herself,” Jel said, as he poured another shot and pushed it towards me. “I must agree with her sentiments, however, that was a great set tonight.” I smiled at Jel as I took the shot glass and downed it quickly.

“Thanks, Jel.”

“What were you and my brother doing? You can be honest. I see he’s given you his pin, so has Hassian, are they both cool with you fucking the both of them?” Tish asked, she was rather blunt when she was inebriated.

“…aaaaand it’s time for you to go home and sober up…” I said, as I looked at Jel, “Wanna pour me another shot?” Tish stomped her foot down, and she actually stomped it down hard on my foot. I pulled my foot away and hopped. "Ouch! Fuck! Tish!"

Tish was charged and pointed her finger directly into my chest. "No! I’m so fucking sick and tired of everyone treating me like a little girl! I’m a grown woman! I know you’re fucking my brother, and you’re fucking Hassian, you’re messing around with Nai’o and Kenyatta too! Don’t get me started with Jina!” I immediately blushed as I rubbed my foot. She got me good.

“Tish! This isn’t the place for this type of conversation…” Jel said, as he poured another shot for me, and I grabbed it and downed it quickly.

“Oh my Dragon! Why not?!”

“Because you’re drawing attention to yourself, besides, you’d have to add me to the list of people who have messed around with Corinth, too.”

Tish’s jaw dropped. “You too? Did you guys ever consider that maybe I have feelings too, and I hate being left out of shit!?!? Fuck you! I’m not a little girl, I’m a grown woman with desires, and feelings. I don’t need to be protected!”

I felt I needed to say something. “Tish! Don’t be like this.”

She rolled her eyes as she got up from the table, pushed past me, and went to the bar. “Ashura can I get another bottle of apple rum? This should cover it.” Tish said as she dropped a bag of coins on the bar counter. Ashura frowned but set a new bottle of apple rum on the bar next to the bag of coins. Tish quickly took the bottle and thanked Ashura.

I approached the woman who remained turned away from me. “Tish, let’s talk about this…”

Tish just shook her head, and Ashura set the bottle down on the bar. Tish moved past me as Ashura shot me an apologetic look. I watched her as she walked out of the Inn. I stood there slack slack-jawed. Ashura then spoke up. “Go after her, Corinth.”

Jel, too, was in a state of shock as his eyes also followed Tish out. He then snapped his gaze back to me. “Yes, follow her, I’ll find you after I’ve had some time to process what just happened.” I nodded and went after Tish as I saw her stumble into her furniture shop. I walked out of the Inn and slowly walked to her shop. She had drawn the blinds, and I could hear her crying. I went to open the door but found it locked, so I decided to knock.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s Corinth, Tish, are you okay?”

I heard the lock disengage, and the door was ripped open. Tish stood there with her tear-stained face. “What do you want?”

“I’m worried about you, can I come in?”

“Why? So, you can throw your relationships in my face?”

“No, Tish, can we talk behind closed doors? I want to explain myself,”

Tish blew a piece of hair out of her face. “Fine,” Tish said, as she opened the door wider to allow me to enter. Once the door was shut, Tish moved past me and sat behind the register counter and grabbed another shot glass, and wiped it out with a clean cloth. She then grabbed a stool off of one of her displays and sat it adjacent to her.

I studied her as she poured both of us shots of the potent apple rum. “Tish, what’s going on?”

“I’m sick and tired of people treating me like I’m a little kid. I’m a grown woman with desires, wants, and needs! I want people to treat me as such, not just as Reth’s little sister!”

“You want to be desired and sought after? Treated like the woman you’ve blossomed into, correct?”

“Yes, and I’m so jealous of you! Ever since you’ve arrived, you’ve caught everyone’s eye! I want someone to look at me the same way everyone looks at you! Every Majiri in this village wants you, I just want to be wanted and lusted after in the same way.”

“How do you know they already don’t, Tish?” I asked, downing the shot Tish poured for me. “You know, maybe you could do with a makeover. Your dress gives Sound of Music vibes, cute, and pure. We need Jel to make you something to show off those curves you have.”

“I—I have curves?”

“Tish, I know underneath that dress you’ve got child-bearing hips, thick thighs that would make any man would want wrapped around his head or his waist and tits that make mine look like BBs on a board.”

“I don’t know what any of that means.”

“You are sexy, Tish! That’s what that means. We need to start getting some guys to turn their heads, and I think a makeover would do the trick.”

“I’m a virgin Corinth. I don’t even know what sex would entail, or where to start. I’ve only ever touched myself, I don’t think that any man wants me.”

“I can be your guide if you want, if you’re comfortable with it. You already know what an orgasm feels like, right? What do you think about when you touch yourself? Is it Nai’o’s rock-hard abs? Maybe Jel’s slim figure? Perhaps Hassian’s brooding self?”

Tish blushed deeply, “I’m not drunk enough for this conversation yet.” Tish said as she reached for the bottle of rum, but I was too quick.

I reached over and grabbed the bottle of rum before she could even get a finger on it. I held it up high over my head, out of her reach. “Uh-uh.” I said, shaking my head. “I’ll pour you a shot once you tell me.”

“This is embarrassing. It wasn’t a guy, it was you. The last time I touched myself, all I could think about was you. It was the night after everything went down in Jel’s shop. I didn’t know a woman could be so sexy. You certainly are an enigma, Corinth. I’m struggling with the thought of being sexually attracted to a woman. A human woman at that. I thought I was only into guys.”

I curled my finger under Tish’s chin, and she looked at me with her blue doe eyes. “Well, the feeling is mutual. I think you already knew that, though.” I said, as I brought a hand to caress Tish’s face. My eyes fell on Tish’s lips, and I closed the gap between us and pressed a kiss on her lips. I started with just a simple kiss, then another, and another, and Tish seemed to be enjoying it. Both my hands were cupping either side of her face while her hands came up to rest on my shoulders.

She parted her lips as I took that as permission to run my tongue over her bottom lip, and I bit at it gently with my teeth. Soon her tongue darted out to meet mine, and her arms wrapped themselves around my shoulders, pulling me closer. We found ourselves lost in the kiss. I pulled my lips off Tish’s to kiss her jawline and her neck. Her hands quickly found my breasts, where she kneaded them through my shirt. We both were becoming turned on, when there was a clearing of a throat, and we both froze. I glanced over to where I heard the intrusion of noise to find Jel standing there.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Tish, why are you kissing your brother’s girlfriend? Don’t you find this a bit odd?”

“I’m following my heart, Jel. It's not like I'm fucking my brother Jel. So what, if I like the same person my brother does? So what if she's the same sex as me? I want her Jel. I’m not a little girl!” Tish fired vehemently at Jel as we separated from each other. Jel growled in anger as he rushed toward us. I narrowed my eyes at him. Jel wasn’t about to be deterred, however.

“What are you trying to pull here, Jel?” I asked, but my question went unanswered as his anger didn’t seem directed at me, but at Tish.

He seemed solely focused on Tish as he approached her, and if I didn’t move, I’d end up hurt, so I got up out of my chair and pushed it and myself out of his path. Just then, he slammed his hand against the desk right next to Tish. The sound of it made me jump further into the corner. His anger was terrifying.

"And what about me, Tish? I like Corinth, and I like you too." Jel snarled.

Tish cocked her head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean? Jel, you're my friend..."

Jel moved in closer, like a wolf stalking its prey, and while Tish was trying to avoid him, she managed to corner herself behind the desk. "Tish, don’t you like me too?"

"Jel, you were involved with my brother. I didn't think you were honestly into women..." They must have forgotten I was there. “…I just found out tonight about you and Corinth…how was I supposed to know!”

Jel then pushed Tish against the wall. "You drive me mad!" He then forced his lips to Tish’s. His hands crushed her thin shoulders into the wall.

“Jel, you’re hurting me!” Tish whined against his lips, and that made Jel pull away.

“Jel, get off her!” I yelled, but it was as if he wasn’t even hearing me.

“I’ve wanted you, Tish! This whole time I've wanted you!” Jel’s hands loosened on her shoulders and began sliding down her top.

“Jel, I said stop,” I said out of the role of spectator, and when the man made no effort in moving away from Tish, I physically pulled Jel away from a frightened Tish.

“Jel what the fuck are you doing? You better not be thinking about doing what I think you're about to do. What’s going on with you!? I yelled at you to stop a few times already!”

Jel was shocked. "Corinth!” He straightened his suit. “I apologize, I don't know what has come over me. I saw the two of you kissing and something within me just…snapped.”

I glared at Jel as I poked my finger in his chest to make a point. “Go back to your shop, I'll take Tish home. You do anything like that again, and I’ll go straight to Eshe. Got it?”

Jel was quiet but nodded. I grabbed the bottle of rum and threw an arm around Tish as we exited her shop. Tish was quiet until we reached her doorstep.

“Corinth, can you stay the night tonight? I feel like I could use a friend tonight. You can use my brother’s room, we both know he never uses it anyway.”

I smirked, “Yeah, you’re right about that. Sure. Did you want to drink a bit more and talk?”

“Yes, that sounds delightful.”

We drank until 3 am, talking about the whole situation with Jel. Seemed I had stumbled into another Hodari/Hassian situation. This time, instead of jealousy, I had run into unrequited love. I didn’t even know Jel had feelings for Tish, but it made sense now. Jel truly had been the one to stop things from spilling over in his shop weeks ago, but Tish was completely and utterly powerless to stop it.

Our conversation turns towards my romantic adventures. I explained how sex worked, and Tish asked what I had done with Jel. I was honest. She confessed that she always saw Jel as a friend, but tonight's events confused her. She even asked if she could give him a chance. I told her that it was totally up to her, but to air on the side of caution. Tish then reached across the table and held my hand in hers. “Tired?” I asked, and looked at her.

She let out a huge yawn. “Yeah, feel free to stay in my brother’s room tonight. I have a feeling I’m going to be hungover tomorrow, but I’ll make us breakfast tomorrow.”

“Sounds good Tish. I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight. I’ll try to rest at least.”

“Sound good, goodnight Corinth, thank you for tonight. I needed this.”

“You’re welcome, hun. Also, I know it seems a lot of people try to baby you, but you won’t get that from me anymore. I only did that because I saw you as a sister figure, but now…you’re a potential candidate for romance girl.”

This caused Tish to blush deeply. “Um…thanks. Can I get a goodnight kiss?”

“Yes,”

Tish and I shared a sweet kiss before she retired to her room for the night.

I walked into Reth’s bedroom, and it seemed pretty barren. There was a small chest of drawers next to the queen-sized bed, and a vase of wheat in the corner with a rug on the floor. I let out a breath and resigned to my accommodation for the night as I was entirely too drunk to go back home for the night.

I got under the covers of the bed and tried to sleep, but I felt too wired to sleep. I tossed and turned until the sun began to lighten the sky with its impending arrival above the horizon. I heard someone come in through the front door, and the shower started. After some time, but shower was shut off and the door opened, and Reth entered before seeing me. A towel low on his hips, and his clothes in his arms.

“Fancy pants? What are you doing here? In my bed, no less.”

“Your sister invited me back. There’s plenty of room.”

“You know what? I’m not going to ask, move over, I’m tired, and I gotta be at the Inn in four hours.”

“Yeah, I mean, I think we got our fill of sex earlier, wouldn’t you say?” I asked, looking at Reth.

“This is going to be torture for me, you know that, right?”

“You need the sleep more than I do…”

“I won’t sleep, you’ll just be teasing me all night.”

“I won’t lay a finger on you, Reth…”

“It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s my body’s reaction anytime I’m close to you that I’m worried about. I find you irresistible.” Reth said, as he dropped his towel. “I don’t think I have sleeves here anyway,”

“Good, come to bed. Did you have clean clothes to change into?”

Reth shook his head, “I usually sleep in the nude…”

“I see. Give me your clothes, and I’ll wash them.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m not sleeping anytime soon. Enjoy your bed.”

“Babe~ I want to cuddle.”

“You and I both know we won’t cuddle.”

“You’re probably right,” Reth said, resigning to the fact he’d be sleeping alone as he handed over his clothes. I took them outside where I filled a wash basin full of water and found some laundry soap sitting on a shelf in the bathroom. I diligently washed Reth’s clothes and hung them out on a clothesline to dry.

My hands were freezing cold; the water I used was just above freezing. It was getting colder and colder now. The trees were nearly barren of their leaves. They were just starting to turn when I arrived here. I could see my breath. I shivered and grabbed some firewood and started a fire to warm up the place. I checked on Reth and Tish before I grabbed a book and settled in front of the fireplace to warm up.

I read until I could hear shifting and the shuffling of feet from Tish’s bedroom. I had moved to sit on the couch, feeling adequately warm. Tish exited her room about five minutes later and looked at me, “Oh, good morning, Corinth, did you sleep?”

“No, I can’t sleep. Reth came in this morning, and he’s asleep in his room. I washed his clothes, and they are out on the line drying. I hope they don’t freeze out there, it was so cold I could see my breath.”

“I see why you started the fire then. Let me get dressed, and I’ll see what I've got to make for breakfast.” Tish said as she went back into her bedroom and grabbed some clothes, before heading into the bathroom to shower. Meanwhile, I decided to get up and raid her pantry, I wanted pancakes.

So, I mixed together some flour, sugar, a dash of salt, a little bit of vinegar, a couple of eggs, some milk and some sweet leaf extract I got from pounding some sweet leaf to literal pulp, it caused the batter to have a slight green tinge but that was fine with me. I hoped it was right and tasted right. I knew they didn’t have things like baking powder or baking soda or even lemons.

I grabbed a pan and some butter and placed them over a lit burner and waited for the butter to start turning brown before pouring the batter in. I prayed a silent prayer to myself before grabbing a spatula and waiting for the bubbles to appear and start to pop on the surface of the pancake. I flipped the cake over, and it was nice and golden, greenish brown. It had risen quite a bit as well.

The first round of pancakes was done, I put them on a plate and ate one. It was a bit sour from the vinegar and indelibly sweet, but it did resemble a pancake at least, not the best tasting one, but with enough butter and syrup, it could mask the sourness. Or maybe just add more flour and milk. So, I did just that.

The next batch turned out much better and didn’t have a green tinge anymore. I tasted a pancake and let out a cheer of excitement. There it was! I set out to make more pancakes when Tish came out of the bathroom.

“Corinth, what is that smell? Are you cooking?”

“I’m making pancakes. It was something I grew up eating for breakfast sometimes.”

“Pancakes? They smell amazing! What did you have to eat with them?”

“Butter, and syrup on top, with a side of bacon and eggs…sometimes we’d add hashbrowns on the side as well. My favorite thing to do was make a haystack by putting the hashbrowns, bacon, and eggs on top of the pancake and popping the yolks so they drizzle all over everything, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.”

“I see. What are hashbrowns?”

“Basically, shredded up potatoes that are drained of their water and tossed in a pan until they’re golden and crispy. Have you not tried them that way before?”

“Oh no, I don’t cook all that much, Reth is the cook, remember? That does sound pretty amazing, though. I have eggs and bacon in my fridge and potatoes in the larder. I know how to make the eggs and the bacon no problem, I’ll cook those. You focus on the potatoes and pancakes.”

“Sounds fair to me.”

Tish got all the ingredients we would need, and I set out to finish up all the pancakes before starting on the potatoes. Once I grated the potatoes, I used an old but clean dish towel to drain them before frying them until they were golden brown, making sure to use butter and a bit of salt to season them. Once that was finished, Tish set out to cook the bacon and eggs for us.

While she was busy with that, I grabbed Reth’s clothes from the line. They were almost frozen stiff. So, I set up a makeshift rack using the sticks and rope and set his clothes in front of the fire to dry properly. With the bacon cooking, Reth woke up. I arranged the plates and set them on the table. Tish managed to grab a robe for Reth.

When Reth came out, he looked at the dish questionably. “What is this?”

“I call it a haystack. Since there’s no syrup, you just break the yolks, and it gets all over everything. It’s delicious.” I said, looking over at Reth.

“But, what is it? Like, what’s in it?”

“Well, you have the eggs on top of a bed of pancakes, hashbrowns, and bacon.”

“What are hashbrowns?”

“Shredded and fried potatoes…”

“That doesn’t sound like it would go together, Fancy Pants…what are pancakes?”

“I guess you’ll just have to figure it out. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it, but give it a try before you knock it.”

“Well, I think it sounds delightful, I’m so hungry…” And with that, Tish tucked into the food. She let out a moan of pleasure. “Corinth!!! This is sooooo good!!!”

Reth, seeing his sister’s excitement, shrugged. “All right, let me see,” Reth said, as he stabbed his yolks and let the yolk drip and soak into the food underneath as he got a bit of everything on his fork and took his first bite. His eyes widened as he put a hand over his mouth. “Oh, my Dragon! Corinth…I need the recipe to make this. Are these the pancakes? They’re fluffy clouds of sweetness.” Reth asked as he cut into the pancake at the bottom of his plate. “This is so good! I’m blown away! I never knew potatoes could be used for breakfast. I’ve always thought of them as a side for steak or something to put into soup to give it more substance. What other secrets are you hiding?”

“Hm…have you heard of a cheeseburger? Or French fries? Potato chips? Potatoes are very versatile…”

“I’m seeing that now. We need to get together and have a day of cooking.” Reth said as he tore into his plate. Tish, too, ate voraciously but didn’t have a big stomach and left about half of her plate.

There was a knock on the door, and Tish got up and answered it. It was Auni. “Hey Tish! I was delivering your mail and smelled something really good…”

“We were just having breakfast Auni, it’s a new dish Corinth remembered having.”

“Oh, Corinth’s here?”

“I am Auni,” I said as I stepped out from behind Tish.

“I couldn’t finish my plate, if you don’t mind eating what I couldn’t finish…”

“Ooh, you don’t mind, do you?”

“A kid’s gotta eat.” I heard Reth say as he put his plate in the sink. “Gotta get ready for my day.” He said, as I heard him make a beeline for the bathroom after grabbing his clothes from the rack in front of the fire, and disappearing into the bathroom.

Auni came in and ate what was left on Tish’s plate. He loved it. “What is this called?”

“We called it a haystack. At least I think I’m remembering it correctly.” I said as I heard the bathroom door open and Reth walked out, ready for the day.

Auni looked over at Reth. “Will you be making this Reth? I think you should! It’s so good!”

“I’m gonna try. Corinth needs to show me her ways.”

“I could see Pa eating this. But, I gotta go,”

“Auni, didn’t you eat this morning?” I asked worriedly.

“Things have been tight at the farm, I only had a bowl of potato soup, without the potatoes…anyway, I gotta hurry and finish my mail route, we’re leaving for Bahari City right after that. Corinth, you’ll be over at the farm soon to start the chores? Right?” Auni looked up at me and asked.

I nodded. “Oh yeah, I will be. I’ll check in with your parents after I clean up here.”

“Good, I’ll catch ya later!”

Auni skipped on out the door of Tish’s house, and I looked back at Tish. “Do you know what’s been going on at the farm? Why is Auni starving?”

“There are whispers that with this competition coming up, they’ve devoted their time towards that and not to paying their taxes on their farm.”

“Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know, Eshe might know something more about it. Perhaps you can ask Badruu? He might be more willing to tell you what’s going on, I don’t like seeing Auni go hungry like this, though.”

“Me either. Reth?”

“Yeah?” Reth called out from the bedroom before stepping out.

“Can you make sure to get some Daiya’s extra food for their journey?”

“Yeah, I can cook an extra batch of carrot and potato soup for them…”

“I was thinking something more substantial, how about that ramen you made for me last week with some extra pieces of meat. Hm? Here, this should cover it.” I said, giving Reth about half the gold coin in my backpack.

“Uh, sure, if you can promise I won’t catch Delaila’s wrath. She doesn’t like help, and you’ve seen her get angry.”

“I’ll do my best, but you guys have places to be, as do I, so thanks for the hospitality and for letting me feed you,” I said, as Reth and Tish bid their goodbyes, as I grabbed my backpack and headed straight over to the Daiya family farm.

I got there to see Nai’o tending to the animals, and Badruu out in the field harvesting the few vegetables that were ready to be picked. Harvest season had come to a fever pitch before I arrived and was waning down now, in the middle of Oktober. With the chill in the air, the first hard frost would probably hit in a few days.

“Corinth! How have you bean?”

“I’m good, came by to help you guys with some chores before you head for the big city, anything I can do?”

“There are some potatoes and carrots that need to get pulled up, you don’t mind, do ya?”

“I don’t mind getting my hands dirty…” I said, as I walked over to where the last rows of carrots and potatoes were. “Is everything okay, Badruu…”

“Everything is fine as wine…uh, why do you ask?”

“Auni came by Tish’s house earlier, he said all he got was a small portion of soup, so I let him have the portion of food Tish couldn’t finish.”

Badruu’s face paled as he took his hat off. “I’ve gotten some disturbing news regarding the farm, don’t let Delaila know, but if you can talk to Kenli for me. That’d be great. You’ve been a friend to us, and I know you and Kenyatta have gotten close. Perhaps, put in a good word for me…”

I had pulled the remaining carrots out of the ground by the time Badruu had trailed off and grabbed a shovel, and started digging up the potatoes. “What is going on Badruu…are you losing the farm? What does Kenli have to do with it?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard the whispers Corinth. Nothing stays hidden in this village for long. Kenli has been trying to talk with the Duchess about keeping our current tax rate. Which is just half of the crops we grow here. He let me know a couple of days ago, the talks haven’t been going well…if we can’t pay the new tax, we’ll have to move out by the end of the month. I’m just taking the family to the city for a break…I…I don’t know how we’re going to pay this new tax.”

“I’ll talk to Kenli and see what’s up. I want you guys to see Reth at the Inn, I’m sending you guys off with a care package.”

Delaila burst out of the house and marched right over to me. “I’ve heard enough! What is the meaning of this!? We don’t need yer’ help! We’ll get the crops in, e-even if we’re a lil’ late this month…just butt out our business.”

“You clearly do! You know, asking and reaching out for help isn’t a bad thing, Delaila! That’s what a community does! They step in and help when things get dire and tough. They care for one another. You’re not alone, I want to help you.”

Delaila was about to launch herself toward me in anger, but Nai’o and Badruu were there keeping her back.

“Let her help ma’ surely, both Auni and I know you guys are struggling with the farm, I’ve put in too much work into this place that I don’t wanna see y’all lose it. This farm has been in our family for generations.” Nai'o pleaded with his mother.

Badruu then pulled Delaila's face into his hands, trying to calm the woman down. “Delaila, honey, look at me, Corinth has that pull, she might actually be able to help us…why don’t you keep an eye on your cottagecore pie, and make sure your bags are packed for the weekend,”

“What’s going on?” Auni asked, as he pounced onto the farm, pausing, sensing tension in the air.

“I can’t believe this! Fine!” Delaila said, resigning to the fact she was outnumbered. She turned on her feet and stormed back into the house, slamming the door with a loud thud.

“Is Ma going to be okay?” Auni asked, as he watched his mother.

“She’s just a little frustrated Auni. Why don’t you make sure you’re all packed up, okay, son?”

“Okay, hey again, Corinth!” Auni greeted me as he skipped into the house. I resumed plucking the potatoes out of turned-up Earth. I noticed the change in Badruu’s demeanor. He sat on a stack of haybales, watching me, and for the first time, he looked his age. Slumped over, with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“No more food puns?”

“Not in the mood at the moment. I hope you can really help us, Corinth, but Delaila might make you public enemy number one. I was hoping she wasn’t eavesdropping. Sometimes I wonder if moving here and taking over her family farm was the right call. This year’s harvest has been dismal, and things are not financially sound…”

“Badruu, I appreciate you asking for help. Sometimes farmers run into these issues; not every harvest is going to be bountiful. Do you know what the new tax is supposed to be?”

“A thousand potatoes, onions, and tomatoes.”

“A thousand between all three crops? Or a thousand of each crop.”

“A thousand of each crop. The amount of land our farm sits on can’t even grow that much!”

I looked around and realized he was right. They’d have to remove the house and Auni’s treehouse, and even then, they wouldn’t have enough space to grow the crops.

“You’re right. I’ll talk to Kenli, and if I gotta talk to the Duchess herself, I’ll do it. I’m not going to let anything, or anyone, try to take this farm away from you.” I said, as I finished pulling the potatoes from the earth. I set the potatoes and carrots into separate baskets and went over to a water spigot to rinse the soil off the freshly picked vegetables. Badruu nodded, before he pushed himself off the haybale and walked into the house without another word.

Meanwhile, while I was busy with that, Delaila, Badruu, and Auni came out with their bags, ready for their weekend away from the farm. Nai’o helped carry his mother’s bag, and he glanced back at me and winked. He set down the bag and glanced at his mother.

“Ma, hang on, I need to give your list to Corinth, and bid her goodbye.”

“Hurry, we’re already running late as it is.”

Nai’o’s eyes met mine as he approached me. “Here, a list of chores my mother wrote for you to complete by sundown. I’ll be back sometime after eleven. I hope you’ll be waiting for me here. I have a present to give you when I get back.”

“Sure. I’ll be here waiting for you.” I said, looking up at him. He then curled a finger under my chin and kissed me chastely on the lips.

“See you tonight babe.” Nai’o said, before he stepped away from me. I smiled at the family as they started walking down the path toward the teleport board at the end of the path. Once they were no longer visible, I glanced at the note that Delaila left for me.

Corinth,

We don’t need your help, but since you are courting my son, I have no choice but to trust your judgment. Prove yourself by getting these chores done, and we’ll talk.

Feed Sugarfoot 30 kgs of Riffroc feed. Nai’o fed her 10 kg this morning before you got here. Her feeding times are at noon, and 5pm. You can give her a carrot as a treat, but keep it to one or two. She’ll need to led out to the stables and given time to stretch her legs. This usually happens around 3 pm. Nai’o usually lays out new hay once of week on Saturdays, so this will need to be done as well.

Feed the pekis, I sprinkle about 10 kgs of feed twice a day. Usually 1 pm and 6 pm. Some have been laying eggs late into the evening, so you’ll need to check the coop for fresh eggs, you can keep any they lay as a thank you.

You’ll need to feed the ormuus, and milk the sows, keep their food topped up through out the day, keep the yard free of any ormuu pies, aka shit. They have a competition next weekend and I don’t need to have caked up ormuu dung on their hooves. That shit is like concrete once it dries. Put them in the compost pile.

Reth needs his vegetable and dairy delivery promptly at 2 pm. His current order is for 2 crates of strawberries, 30 carrots, 20 potatoes, 20 tomatoes, 10 leeks, 10 onions, 5 gallons of ormuu milk, 4 quarts of cream, and 2 quarts of yogurt. All the extra vegetables are in the stand, take what you need from there, and there are milk canisters where you can get the milk and cream in the cellar. It stays chilly down there all year long. I’ve kept it unlocked for you. Take whatever milk and cream you need as well, as it only stays fresh for so long.

The canisters are marked. Dump whatever milk you get in the canister with the newest date on it.

You’ll need to take out the oldest milk canister and make yogurt, or add a little vinegar and make sour cream with it. You’re creative. There’s a bottle of cultured bacteria down in the cellar. You’ll need to the canister over a fire for about half an hour and stir it consistently before adding the culture to it. If you boil the milk, it’s no good. You want it warm, not scalding or boiling.

I hope you’re up to the challenge. Don’t let me down.

Delaila.

I smiled. I was always up for a challenge.

I set out immediately, gathering the vegetables needed for Reth’s Inn order, keeping an eye on time, making sure the animals were fed and tended to in between gathering the vegetables. 2 pm came too quickly, and I raced over to the Inn with the order of vegetables and dairy. I entered the Inn and brought the order into the kitchen, where Reth was stirring his varieties of soup.

“How’s things going at the farm? You look a little frazzled baby.”

“It’s going okay, just busy doing the work of three people, you know?”

“Do you have time for a meal? I have some leftover ramen if you want it…Delaila stopped by, she was pissed but took the care package you had me make for them. What is going on?”

“I’ll take the soup, I haven’t had anything since breakfast, but if you must know, the farm is in trouble. The Daiyas are really close to losing it, type of trouble. I’ll have a bit of time after I take Sugarfoot for a run to talk to Kenli about it.”

“You want my soup canteen? I’ll send it along with you. I know you’re taking over things at the farm today, let me do this for you babe. I can’t see Kenli letting the Daiyas lose the farm, I mean it’s tough times for sure, and I know this year’s harvest wasn’t what it has been in previous years, I haven’t been here long, but from what I hear, the farm has fallen on hard times.”

“It’s sad, but if you want to ready up that soup canteen, I’ll get the produce and dairy put away for you…”

“Baby, you don’t need to do that. You have your plate full today.” Reth said as he promptly filled up his soup canteen and handed it to me. I took it gratefully before he reached into the box and pulled out a carrot. “Here, send Sugarfoot my love. If I catch a break today, I might stop by.”

I looked over Reth’s shoulder to see a group of humans coming in. “I don’t think that break is happening, baby, just saying.”

Reth turned his head toward the door and frowned. “Ugh, yeah, probably not. Can I get a kiss for the road?”

“Of course,” I said, as I leaned up and kissed Reth’s lips chastely, but he deepened it slightly, before releasing me.

“You should go before I’m tempted to take you down into the storage room again.”

“Yeah, I don’t have that kind of time today, sadly. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too,” I said as I turned on my heel and walked out of the Inn and straight over to the stables and let Sugarfoot out of her stable and let her run the yard before feeding her the carrot Reth sent her. She let out a happy neigh, as I gently petted the Riffroc’s face and neck. I enjoyed my Ramen before I set to the task of renewing the hay and grabbing all the riffroc poop.

The time passed quickly, soon I was finishing up feeding the animals, and checking the peki coop for eggs, I found a half dozen. I tucked them all in my bag for use later. With the animals taken care of, I decided to figure out what to do with the canister of old milk. I decided to make sweet berry yogurt, for half, while the other half I’d made into sour cream. There were some sweet berries I came across while gathering Reth’s order that were on their way out. So, grabbing a pestle and mortar, I ground the kilogram or so of sweet berries that had surpassed their peak ripeness, making sure to throw the moldy ones out, and started the fire pit.

Following Delaila’s instructions, I found two pots and filled both pots with the soon-expiring milk and warmed both over a fire, testing the temp with my finger before adding the cultures to one, along with the sweet berry mash I made, and the vinegar to the other. I stirred both until they had cooled and had the consistency I was looking for. I scooped out a bit of each into mason jars for consumption later. I wrote a note on both the sour cream and sweet berry yogurt with the date I made them, along with the time. I found large enough mason jars to store each of the dairy products.

Leaving the cellar, it was nighttime. The setting sun and its glow were no longer on the horizon. I had the rest of the night to do whatever I wanted, so I decided it would be a good time to hit up Kenli. I knew he’d be at the Inn enjoying some after-work beverages.

I decided a beer sounded nice too, after a long, hard day of work. So, I walked over to the Inn, and Ashura glanced at me as soon as I walked in. “Corinth! Good to see you, would you like anything?”

“A tall pint of ale for me, please. I take it Reth is off already?”

“Yeah, he closed up the kitchen, but there’s still food if you want anything.”

“Oh, um, a steak dinner would probably do me well.”

“One steak dinner coming right up, also your payment’s behind my desk. Just grab it when you want.”

I nodded as I went to approach Kenli, who was in a conversation with Zeki. “Hey Kenli, can I talk to you in private, please?”

Kenli gave me a look of confusion, but nodded. I waved him over to a table in the corner of the Inn, where we both sat down. Ashura brought over the pint of ale and asked Kenli if he wanted a top-up. Kenli nodded and thanked Ashura before he looked at me. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

“What's going on with the Daiya farm?”

“Oh..no..no...I’m assuming the Daiyas let you in on their conundrum. You see, I made a promise to the Daiyas. One, I fear I will now be unable to keep.”

“What promise did you make to Badruu? He seemed concerned.”

“Well, I didn’t make the promise to Badruu, but Delaila more specifically…”

“Okay, Delaila then…”

“I foolishly told Delaila that it would be okay if she were late in turning in the crops needed for this month's taxes. It's been a bad harvest year, and she just looked so thrilled when I told her that. I was happy too... until I remembered that I still owe those taxes to my sister, the Duchess, who is far from lenient when it comes to tardiness. So now I'll have to go and tell Delaila to turn in those crops no matter what! She'll never forgive me for going back on my word!”

I listened carefully and absorbed Kenli’s words. I let a moment pass before crafting my response. “What crops do they need? Perhaps I can try to help.”

“It’s not that simple, Corinth, my sister has decided to raise on the Daiyas, and I’ve been terrified to tell her about the change. She wants me to evict if they don’t pay the new taxes.”

“Uh, so if I’m understanding this correctly, they’re there, living on the farm on borrowed time, am I hearing that right?” I asked, raising my eyebrow as I took a sip of my beer.

“Yes. I don’t have the heart to tell Delaila…I just don’t have the heart or the gumption to do that to them…I’m not a farmer, otherwise I’d pay the tax myself.”

“How much do they need Kenli…”

He had disconnected from the conversation from that point. “What do I do? What do I do?”

“KENLI!”

Kenli snapped his eyes at me, and his face turned red. “I’m sorry, Corinth…what were you saying?”

“How much do they need? You realize there are hundreds of humans here, and we all can grow crops. We all can pitch in. It’s the least we can do to help Badruu and his family out, I mean, he’s the reason we can grow crops in the first place.”

“Oh, I do suppose you are right. 1000 tomatoes, potatoes, and onions. A thousand of each.”

“You do realize the Daiya farm isn’t large enough to grow that much, right? When’s the last time you’ve seen the farm?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.

“It’s been a while, I’m usually posted up in my office during the day and rarely go for a walk around. Which reminds me, I’ve lost my sandwich…”

“I’m not worried about your sandwich, Kenli, I’m worried about the Daiyas losing a farm that’s been in their family for generations. I have an idea to run by you if you don’t mind.”

“I’m open to any suggestions.”

“Good. What if I managed to rally myself and 19 of my fellow humans to put in 50 of each crop? We can easily get that grown in a month, I know some humans that turn over crop after crop cause their land is just that fertile.”

Kenli quickly took out a pen and a small notebook from his pocket and did the math. “50x20…carry the one….wow. You’re a genius Corinth! That’s exactly 1000 of each vegetable. Where are you going to find 20 humans to do this, though?” Kenli asked, cocking his head.

“Leave that to me, if it works, which it should…the Daiyas should keep their home, right?”

“I believe so…the taxes aren’t due until April, but you should probably get a jump on getting your fellow humans recruited. I don’t know how you’re going to do that. I’m sure you’ll think of something, though.”

“Yeah, you should be lucky Delaila’s not here in town at the moment, but I know we’ll have that conversation when she gets back. I’ll put together a benefit or something and have people donate whatever vegetables they have extra of.”

Just then, Ashura came by with my steak dinner. I went to dig out the coin needed, but Ashura shook his head. “Keep your coin, it’s the least I can do for you. I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. Feel free to use the Inn for your benefit. I’ll get with Zeki and see if he can make flyers for the benefit.”

“I still gotta come up with a day to do it.”

“Next Friday will be just fine, but run it by Delaila first. I know Badruu will be on board, but Delaila, she doesn’t like asking for help from anyone.”

“I gathered that from her reaction when Badruu was explaining the situation to me before they left for Bahari City,” I said, beginning to tuck into the steak dinner in front of me.

“Was that everything you needed to talk to me about Corinth?” Kenli asked as he looked at me.

“Yes, I just want to make sure we’re on the same page, though, you’re not going to evict the Daiyas after the Duchess gets what she wants, right? I will march straight to the capital and give the Duchess a piece of my mind…I swear to it Kenli…”

Terror struck upon Kenli’s face. “No! No! Don’t do that. Please!”

“I’m serious Kenli, I don’t want to see the Daiyas leave Kilima…”

“I don’t want that either, I love having them here, who else is going to provide the village with fresh produce home grown in our village?”

“Exactly, but you also need to take a stand against the Duchess. They don’t have enough land to grow 3000 vegetables, provide for their own family, and the village. You need to stand up for them if you want them to stay.”

“I—I can’t possibly do that…”

Ashura then stepped in as I was about to launch into a tirade with a gentle hand on my shoulder, dissuading me from doing so. “There comes a time when you need to stand up for what’s right, even if it makes your superiors angry. The Daiyas are good people, hardworking people. Their family has had that farm for generations. I would think that alone can get you to stand up for them, Kenli.”

“You’re right, but I don’t know how I’m going to approach her regarding all of this.”

“Let me talk to Delaila, I’ll see if there’s some insight she can provide. You said that the farm has been in their family for generations, right? Perhaps some tax laws have been grandfathered in. Perhaps we can look into that? I remember my mother was a lawyer and she wanted me to become one, but I chose to be an entertainer instead.”

“Really? I don’t think I knew that about you. Now it makes sense why you and Reth get along so well.” Kenli said as he fiddled with his hands. This conversation was making him nervous.

“Yeah, I told him about that, we don’t have paths in our culture. You just find happiness in whatever makes you money. Entertaining makes as much money, if not more so than being a lawyer. I didn’t want to be stuck in a stuffy suit arguing with people twice my age about why my defendant should be innocent when I could just do what I loved instead. Reth loves to cook, I love to sing and dance.”

“That’s good, you are finding common ground with the villagers here, Corinth. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, unlike me, I can’t even keep track of my sandwiches…”

“Where was the last place you had it?”

“I was out on a walk earlier today, talking about the flow samples Jina found. On the way back, I stopped by the gazebo to catch my breath. I took a few bites of my sandwich there…”

“I’ll go give it a check, you’ll be here for the next hour or so, right?”

“Oh, yes, finish your dinner, I know you were busy taking care of the farm while the Daiya’s were out of town.”

“Yeah, which is why I’m concerned, I love that family.”

“We all do Corinth. But I will let you eat, I will see what I can do to get the Duchess to lower the tax.”

“I hope you do. I’ll go to the Capitol myself if I must.”

“I know how determined you can be, so I will take you at your word and be more firm with the Duchess. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.” Kenli said as he used his cane to support himself as he got up from the chair. Corinth nodded before she dug into her steak dinner.

The steak was a perfect and tender medium rare, the baked potato was smothered in salted herb butter with a dollop of sour cream, and the mushrooms, everything hit the spot. She had to hand it to Ashura, the man could cook. I finished everything on my plate and brought the skillet and the wood plate it sat on back into the kitchen. Ashura was still busy running trays full of pints of ale all over the Inn, so I took the liberty of washing my dirty dishes before I sat back and sipped my beer, watching the camaraderie between the humans and majiri alike. There still seemed to be a disconnect, despite humans being here for months now.

Finishing my beer, I too, took that back into the kitchen and rinsed out the beer stein, and checked the time. It was a little past eight in the evening, and I remembered I had promised to make Nai’o spicy chili oil dumplings, but I'd take a detour to see if I could find Kenli's sandwich. Luckily, I had procured the recipe for the dumplings from Reth when I asked for all the recipes. I grabbed my payment from behind the desk and bid Ashura a goodnight as I walked out of the Inn.

I set out to find Kenli's sandwich. It was sitting in the gazebo, but it had molded over. There was no way he'd want it in that state. So I threw it away, and I'd have to let the man know what became of his sandwich. I then headed home.

Making it back to my plot, I set out to read the recipe. It seemed pretty straightforward, so I started to get to work on it. Making enough for two portions. By the time I was finished, my hands were covered with flour, and my hands burned from the hot chili peppers, but it was a labor of love. I put the dumplings into my backpack and washed off the flour and chili residue from my hands. It was a quarter to 11 by the time I was done.

I threw on my backpack and headed over to the farm, where Nai’o, dressed in a black button-down shirt and black jeans, was checking up on the animals. I had never seen Nai’o so dressed up and dressed to kill. “Wow, you did a great job today, I’m impressed, everyone is fed, and happy. You even outdid yourself and made sweet berry yogurt. Here, I got you a bowl, so you can taste how well you did. I’ve already sampled it, it's delicious.”

“Thanks, I too, made you food as well, it’s a new recipe, Chili Oil Dumplings, you asked me to make it for you, remember? You look nice. How was the concert with Kenyatta?”

“It was good, I was a little late getting to the venue, by little I mean, the concert was halfway over before I met up with her. I feel awful, honestly. With everything going on lately, I feel like I have gained the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I keep fumbling trying to keep things going. I did give Kenyatta those Crystal Lake lilies as an apology for screwing up so royally.”

“Wanna go inside and console over these dumplings?” I asked, looking up at the blue-eyed man, and he nodded. We walked inside, and I took out the two bowls of chili oil dumplings and set them on the dining table while Nai’o set down the bowl of sweet berry yogurt I had made earlier.

Nai’o went to grab forks and spoons for us from the kitchen before he sat down next to me and tucked into the dumplings. “Did you find anything out from Kenli? I mean, with everything you had to do today on the farm, if you didn’t get a chance to talk to him, I understand.”

“I managed to catch him at the Inn when I was done with all the chores. I’m doing everything in my power to help you guys here at the farm. I discussed things with Kenli tonight, and he’s going to try and talk to the Duchess, but he’s so scared of her. I don’t get how his sister can have such a stranglehold over him like that, but I’m not one for family politics. I told him in so many words he needed to grow some balls and confront her.”

Nai’o nodded as he slurped up the bowl of dumplings. “These are fantastic, Cori,” Nai’o complimented. “Did you explain how we simply don’t have enough land to support that many crops?”

“I did and told him he needed to come by and survey the farm to prove my point. I’m thinking about hosting a benefit next Friday to help you guys come up with the taxes. Ashura already gave me the go-ahead to use the Inn, and Zeki agreed to make the flyers for it. I’m sure my fellow humans will have enough to give. I know Penelope’s land is super fertile, she turns over crops like nobody’s business. I’ll see if people are willing to donate whatever they can, and we will help you guys get your taxes paid.”

“You’re willing to do that? For us? I know my mother won’t be on board, but I think maybe you and Dad could come up with something, like a duet or something.”

“I won’t allow you guys to get evicted on my watch. Your family has been here for generations, and you said it yourself; you’ve worked too hard to watch all your hard work go to waste.” I said, as I finally tucked into my dumplings.

Nai’o watched me as he had already demolished his bowl, before he got up from the table. “I’ll be right back, but when you’re done, I wanna take you on a night ride with Sugarfoot around the valley, it’s been a while since she’s had a good run and she’s overdue for one,” Nai’o said as he put a hand on my shoulder and got up from his chair.

I blinked up at Nai’o before nodding. I watched him walk out the door before I quickly ate the dumplings and yogurt, and I had to admit, I did well on both the dumplings and the yogurt. I deposited all the dishes in the sink before I pulled on my cloak and met Nai’o outside.

“Ready for the ride of your life?” Nai’o asked, as he sat in the saddle that was strapped onto the massive Riffroc. My heart raced with both anticipation and nervousness.

“I-I don’t know…I’ve never ridden on the back of a Riffroc before…”

“First time for everything, right?” Nai’o swung his leg over the animal and hopped onto the ground. “Come on, I’ll help you get on.”

“Okay…” I agreed apprehensively.

“Put your foot into the stirrup, grab the horn and pull yourself up, then swing your leg over so you're straddling Sugarfoot’s back.” Nai’o guided, and following his directions, I tried, but struggled a bit, so Nai’o put his hand on my ass to give me a gentle push and soon I was seated upon the Riffroc. “Now scoot until your bottom is on the back of the saddle before you take your foot out of the stirrup so I can climb on in front of you.”

I nodded and scooted back so my ass was hanging off the end of the saddle and pulled my foot out of the stirrup, and Nai’o got on the Riffroc right in front of me.

“Is this good, or do I need to be further back?”

“You can scoot closer to me, and you’ll need to wrap your arms around my waist, so you don’t fly off the back of Sugarfoot.” He said as he wrapped an arm around my right hip and pulled my body tight against the back of his. “Hold on tight, babe. I’m going to let Sugarfoot rip.” Naio said, before he took the reins in his other hand. With a kick and a “Yah!” from Nai’o, Sugarfoot took off at a speed that terrified me causing me tightened my grip around Nai’o’s waist like my life depended on it, as my ass bounced up and down against the saddle. It was pretty punishing. I could feel my inner thigh muscles stretch with every gallop of the Riffroc.

“N-Nai’o! Oh my GOD!”

“We’re not even at full gallop yet, baby, you good?”

“This is scary…”

“Nah! I got you.” Then he dug his heels into the ribs of the Riffroc. “Yah! Yah!”

Sugarfoot seemed to pick up speed as we raced past Mirror Pond and over the bridge towards Chapaa crossing. Some humans almost got run over and dove out of the way of the galloping animal. “HEY, WATCH IT, MAN!”

“SORRY!” I shouted, “Nai’o!”

Nai’o cackled as we flew through Chapaa Crossing. We rounded the corner and went toward Fisherman’s Lagoon. We whipped around Fisherman’s Lagoon a few times before Nai’o slowed Sugarfoot down as we got to the gate of Bahari Bay, where he came to a stop.

“Fancy going for a ride through Bahari Bay, baby?” Nai’o asked, glancing back at me. I nodded.

“Sure,” I said, as I peeled my arms from around him. “I’m sorry if I was holding on to you a little too tightly.”

“I don’t mind it, baby,” Nai’o said as he hopped off Sugarfoot, opened the gate before he hopped back on the Riffroc, bringing my arms around his waist again. “Yah!”

We were off again. I leaned into Nai’o and ran my hand up and down Nai’o’s chest as we raced through the various paths in Bahari Bay. We stopped off at a beautiful overlook, and Nai’o hopped off Sugarfoot and helped me off before he tied Sugarfoot to a nearby tree and got a blanket that was rolled up on the back of the saddle and spread it out over the grass. He sat down and patted the spot next to him. My inner thighs felt shaky, and sore, and my ass hurt as well.

“Should my legs feel like this?” I said, as I gingerly sat down.

“Oh, yeah, it’s your first time, you’re gonna be sore. I can give you a massage, but it won’t help much because you’ll be back on the horse.”

“Will it go away?”

“Oh yeah, might take a bit of time, but you’ll be good…" There was a pregnant pause before Nai'o shifted. "Look,” Nai’o said, as he pulled me into his lap and had me straddle him. “My family matters a lot to me, and so do you, so...” Nai’o started getting choked up. “Man, come on, Nai'o!”

“It’s okay Nai’o…”

“Look, you know words aren't my strong suit, so I thought...well, when my parents met, I mean, not that you and I are my parents, or anything, it's just-I wrote you a song!”

“A song for me? I didn’t know you sang? Or even wrote music!”

“Oh, I’ve been known to carry a tune, but not as well as you can, but it’s my first time writing a song, so I’m kinda nervous.”

I wrapped my arms around Nai’o’s and gave him a nod to continue.

"Your eyes are the color of my favorite flower."
"Your voice flows in the wind like waves upon sea."
"Your smile can keep me up for hours."
"All I want to know is, will you be with me?"

“So what do you think? I know it’s corny, but it’s only a snippet of how I feel about you.”

“I loved it, Nai’o…absolutely loved it, you have a sexy baritone quality to your voice, I love it.”

“Really? I kinda struggled with it. The thing is, there's just... so much I like about you. And it's hard to put that all in a couple of lines. I'd have to write a whole... a whole opera or something, and it still wouldn't be enough to describe all the things I like—no, love about you.” He then pulled a box from a pocket inside his shirt and opened it, revealing his pin. “I—also made this for you. Well, I had Sifuu make it for me. It’s my pin, I want this thing between us to last. Forever if it can. So…will you accept it? Please say yes…”

“Yes! Of course, a million times yes!”

“That’s okay Cori I fig—wait, yes?” Nai’o said as the realization that I accepted his pin hit him. “You said yes to me?”

“Yes, silly, of course I did…”

“That means…” He put his arms around me as he stood up, and his lips met mine in a passionate kiss. We kissed and kissed before Nai’o finally let me down, his lips only leaving mine once my feet hit solid ground. He then got down on one knee before me. “You said yes! You just made me the happiest man. Here’s the pin,” Nai’o said, as he opened the box to reveal his pin, and I took it out and put it on my cloak. Nai’o took my hands in his, raised them over my head, and put his forehead against mine. “Corinth, I promise I’ll be everything you need, and more. I’m so happy you’re giving me a chance.”

“Nai’o, you’re the sweetest,” I said, as I let go of his hands and brought my hands to cup his face. “I will try to be everything you need as well, but you realize, I’m pinned by Reth, and Hassian…”

“I know, and I have no issues with that. I know they both love you a lot. I just…wanted to make my feelings for you official.” Nai’o said as he put his hands over mine before he slid them down my arms. His eyes widened. “You feel cold, are you cold?”

“A little…”

“Let’s head over to the stables then, I can get the wood-burning furnace going, and I can feed Sugarfoot too. She’s expended a lot of energy.” I nodded before Nai’o grasped my hand, “Did you want to take the reins and learn how to ride Sugarfoot?”

“Sure, as long as we take our time, and not go at a blazing speed like earlier.”

“Oh yeah, you’re not ready for her top speed yet, we’ll take it slow, at least until you get the hang of her, we have all the time in the world.”

“When is your family coming back?”

“Monday morning, it’s been a bit since I’ve had this much freedom. There’s nobody else I’d would wanna spend it with, honestly. Kenyatta has always been too afraid to even ride with me on Sugarfoot.”

“She moves fast, I was scared at first as well, but I knew I was safe with you.”

“Good, let me help you up first, then I’ll climb in behind you. You know where the central stables are, right?”

“Yeah, we’re not too far.”

“Good.”

Nai’o helped me onto Sugarfoot, before untying her from the tree and handing me the reins, before he climbed in behind me. His warmth radiated off of him, and I realized just how cold I had become.

“To turn her around, pull on the left rein gently and click your tongue twice. She’ll take your guidance.”

I pulled gently on the left rein and clicked my tongue, and Sugarfoot turned around toward the left before she stopped. “Okay, now what?”

“Dig in your heels slightly and click your tongue three times.” I nodded and did as Nai’o instructed, and Sugarfoot started walking at a slow and steady pace down the hill. “If you want her to move a little faster, just squeeze your legs around her, once for a trot, twice for a faster trot…she’ll move around any obstacles, but I always like to guide her around with the reins just to be certain. If you want to make her go fast, you dig your heels in and yell yah, like I was doing earlier.” Nai’o said as his arms slid around my waist, and scooted his body flush against mine, and he brought his lips to my ear, “Why don’t you try putting her in a slow trot?” Nai’o whispered, his voice low, and somehow my body reacted to his sultry voice.

I squeezed my legs around Sugarfoot once, and taking the queue from me, she started trotting on down the path. Just as Nai’o’s hands slid underneath the fabric of my cloak. His hands felt hot through the fabric of my shirt. “How’s this?” I asked, and Nai’o took my earlobe in his mouth, sucking it, and nibbling on it. I rolled my lips over my teeth, trying to suppress a moan.

“We could go a little faster, only if you’re comfortable,” So I squeezed my legs around Sugarfoot twice in a row and she began trotting a bit faster, just as Nai’o pulled up the fabric of my shirt and slid his hands underneath. His calloused hands felt so rough against my soft and supple flesh. “You’re doing so good, baby, let’s get used to this pace for a bit,” Nai’o said, as his hands moved up higher before they cupped my breasts, playing with my nipples. I could tell Nai’o enjoyed my tits bouncing in his hands everytime Sugarfoot’s hooves hit the ground. I leaned back fully against him as his lips began kissing my neck. “Mm…just like this…you’re doing so, so good baby.”

“N-Nai’o…”

“Hm…you like this?”

“I do, but you realize, I’m at the reins of Sugarfoot, right?”

“She trusts you. Give her a light heel kick. See what happens, lean your body forward and move your lower body with her.”

I gave Sugarfoot the lightest of heel kicks, and she entered a steady gallop, and Nai’o moved my hips down to meet the saddle. “Keep your hips on the saddle, you feel the movements of her legs, move your hips with her.”

“I’m essentially humping the damn saddle Nai’o.” I deadpanned, but Nai’o just upped the ante by pressing his hips into my backside and securing a grip on them and guiding my hips with his. I couldn’t deny, it felt good, but getting off on the back of a horse wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.

“Exactly, doesn’t it feel good, and freeing?”

“I’m just trying not to get us killed, Nai’o. Also, it sounds like you’ve been getting your rocks off on the back of Sugarfoot.”

“Oh not me, I resent that babe, however, I’m getting turned on by feeling your ass jiggle with every gallop.”

“Well, glad that this is entertaining you,” I said, rolling my eyes as I turned my eyes back on the path ahead of us.

“I think you’re ready to go all the way now. Give her a stern heel kick and…”

I gave Sugarfoot a firm heel kick, “YAH!” Sugarfoot took off, and Nai’o nearly lost his fucking balance. I grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him back against me. “Better hang on, lover boy, I think I finally got the hang of this…”

“Fuck yeah,” Nai’o said as he secured his grasp around me. “…we’re coming up on the stable soon though…”

“I know…” I gave a quick little jerk on the reins and Sugarfoot stopped her full sprint and went back to the gallop, causing Nai’o to get smashed up against the back of my body from the inertia, and I clicked my tongue a few times, “Slow her down Sugarfoot, easy now…”

With a neigh and a nod, she went back to her slow gallop. “How the—I didn’t even tell you how to slow her down…”

“I was taking mental notes earlier,” I said as I pulled on the right rein and Sugarfoot turned into the Central Stables. I pulled back on the reins lightly, telling Sugarfoot this was our stop, and she slowed down and eventually stopped. “Good girl, Sugarfoot, thank you for letting me guide you,” I said, as I leaned over and gave Sugarfoot some affectionate ear scratches, as Nai’o then hopped off Sugarfoot before he helped me off.

“I’m going to get her set up, then I’ll get the wood stove going, and we can work on getting you warmed up.”

I smiled at Nai’o, “Okay, perhaps I can start the wood stove?”

“Yeah, the wood, tinder, and matches should be around the wood stove.”

“Okay, I’ll get that fire going then, you go get Sugarfoot sorted,” I said, as I looked at him before I entered the central stables building. I immediately came across the wood stove and opened it. It was a large, cast-iron wood stove, with a couple of cooking spots on top and a glass door. There were shelves built into the wall. The lower shelf was full of wood, going from the smallest at the top to large logs on the bottom, while the shelf above that was stocked full of various items to use as tinder. Everything from bundles of leaves, crumpled up paper, birch bark, to wood fiber balls, and even crudely fashioned cotton balls drenched in what I thought was petroleum jelly. I knew cotton was a common crop here, but where did the petroleum come from?

I thought it was strange, petroleum jelly was a by-product of crude oil, which came from inside the earth. If the humans that came after me used flow as a primary source of energy, they would’ve stopped their reliance on fossil fuels, right? Then I remembered the tincture of cream Chayne had given me, which too seemed to have a petroleum jelly consistency to it as well. Albeit white petroleum jelly, but still.

On the shelf above all the tinder were the lighters and bottles of fuel. All but one seemed to use some type of fuel. Kerosene, Butane, and alcohol. There was a metal tinderbox as well. I just grabbed the easiest to use lighter with a couple of cotton balls, and set them inside the cleaned wood stove, I lit the cotton balls, and they went up fairly quickly, so I started stacking small bits of wood on top and when I got a good stack going, I added larger logs. I didn’t know how long we were going to be there.

I filled the wood stove before I closed the door on the stove and locked it. By now, the fire was warming me up to the point that I could shed my cloak. I did just that. The central stables were twice the size of the stables in Kilima. I heard Nai’o come back in and lock up the stable door. He brought in the blanket from earlier, and it was folded up in his hands.

“Sugarfoot’s set up for the night. I see you figured out the woodstove! It feels better in here already,” Nai’o said, as he stretched and yawned. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how late it was, you don’t mind staying here for the night with me, do ya? I mean, there’s a teleport outside if ya wanna go home and sleep in your bed. I completely understand.”

“Nai’o, you do know that humans can’t sleep right?” I said, raising my eyebrow.

“Oh yeah, I remember you mentioning it now, Embra’s curse or something like that, right?” Nai’o asked as he moved past me and climbed up a ladder that led to a loft.

“Yeah, where are you going?” I said, as I watched him climb up to the loft.

“Warm air rises, and I’m gonna sleep where it’s warm.”

“You got a bed or something up there?” I asked, as I took off my cloak.

“A bed of hay, if that’s what you mean? Are you coming up to join me?”

“Yeah, give me some time to go through my bag, and I’ll be up in a moment.”

“Oh sure, you know where I’m at,” Nai’o said, as he began taking off his shirt, before he moved further into the loft, cutting off my view of his body. I turned my attention to my backpack and grabbed the box full of sleeves and contraception powder; I had six sleeves left. I grabbed a couple, and I remembered Nai’o’s hands on me earlier, teasing me. I figured this time I’d be the one doing the teasing.

I stripped off my clothes and set them next to my bag. With the sleeves in hand, I climbed up the ladder to find Nai’o had done the same. He, too, had stripped down to nothing. He had set the blanket down on a thick padding of hay. He was lighting some candles to create ambiance. He glanced over at me as he heard me coming up, and his eyes widened.

“You-you’re naked!”

“Mmhm…isn’t that what you usually want when you go for a roll in the hay?” I said as I finally got to the top of the ladder. “You also need two willing people for said roll in the hay.”

“I-I’m more than willing, baby, let me make sure I have my sleeves…”

“I grabbed two from the box Chayne gave me, I’ll need to pick up more when we get back tomorrow.”

“There’s ten in a box…you’re already out?”

“Oh no, I still have four left after these two. Reth used two and Hassian two of mine as well.”

“I have some catching up to do, don’t I?” Nai’o said as he placed the candle down before he walked over to me. He put a hand on my face. “Gosh, you’re so beautiful like this. Like a dream come to life.” Nai’o said, as his lips crashed onto mine.

Much like the first time we kissed, the kiss consumed both of us. He hoisted me up in his arms and carried me bridal style to the makeshift bed, his lips not leaving mine once. He laid me down on the blanket, and I set the sleeves down next to my head before wrapping my arms around the man again. Nai’o’s lips soon left mine, and he kissed the spot on my neck that drove me crazy.

I soon became a moaning mess. My moans were setting the Majiri man on top of me off. Nai’o grabbed a sleeve and peeled it on quickly before he entered me. I sucked in a sharp breath feeling him stretch me. “Oh Dragon…you feel so good. I couldn’t wait any longer…you made me so hard moaning in my ear like that.”

He began moving his hips rapidly, and it seemed he was out for his release. “Nai’o…” I got up on my elbows. “Baby, slow down, it’s not a race…making love isn’t a race.”

“Huh?” Nai’o said, as he stopped his thrusts to look at me.

“It’s not as easy for me to orgasm as it is for you…why don’t you lie down and let me ride you…and I’ll teach you some things,” I said, and Nai’o nodded as he pulled out of me, and we switched places on the blanket. I straddled the man but didn’t pull him inside of me yet. I ran my fingertips down his body, admiring every bit of warm skin that my fingertips ran over. I brought my lips down to his chest and licked and nibbled at his nipples. “So, what did you and Kenyatta do? Did she ride you? Did you two explore each other?”

“To a point, but she likes it rough and fast.”

“I see, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Some women do like that, I mean, I found out I like to be bent over a counter and fucked like that.”

“Reth?”

My body grew hot as my mind replayed the encounter with Reth, but I quickly pushed that to the back of my mind as I licked down Nai’o’s chest. “Mmhm, but tonight, I want to take things slowly. You don’t mind staying up with me, if it takes all night, do you?”

“Any time spent with you is time never wasted, baby.”

“Same, Nai’o, same,” I said as I started move my hips a bit, rubbing my labia over Nai’o sleeved cock. “See what I’m doing here, you don’t even need to be inside of me for it to feel good for me. I keep doing this long enough, I will orgasm, but I’d rather do that while you’re inside, so I’m going to do this until I’m close. Is that okay?”

“It feels good for me too…” Nai’o said as he brought his hips against mine, which caused me to moan out. “I like this…”

Suddenly his hands were on my hips pushing my hips, against him in a faster, and faster pace, his cock rubbing against my clit, I felt my orgasm coming, hot and fierce, so I lifted my hips and slid down his cock until he was seated completely inside ofa me and began riding him. Nai’o sat up and wrapped his arms around my hips, and I couldn’t control myself anymore as my orgasm ripped through me. Nai’o pushed his hips up as I spilled myself all over him. Nai’o flipped us over, as he pounded me, and it seemed watching me come undone unleashed a beast within him. He pinned my arms down and licked and sucked my breasts.

“Mm, fuck me…”

Nai’o then lifted my legs up and put them together and aimed his thrusts high…and I exploded again. “Fuck Cori! You’re so sensitive now…I love watching you come undone like this…” Then I was turned over with my knees underneath me and he was fucking me doggystyle as his finger strummed on my clit. Orgasm number three hit me long and hard, and this, too, proved to be Nai’o’s undoing.

His moans were deep and erotic. I could feel his cock contract inside of me. He pushed us through our orgasms, before he pulled out and carefully peeled off the sleeve and tied it up as we collapsed onto the blanket. Nai’o lips took mine in a kiss.

“You were amazing, Nai’o, and you’re a fast learner.”

“Anything to please the women I love.” Nai’o purred, pulling me against him. “I love you Cori.”

“I love you, too Nai’o. Why don’t you get some sleep?” I said, as Nai’o put his head on my chest and I ran my fingers through his hair. We both worked up a sweat, but it was perfectly fine. Nai’o fell asleep, while I simply rested my eyes, never really falling asleep.

Chapter Text

I was up bright and early, I hadn’t slept again, just rested my eyes. Nai’o was still asleep, the evidence of our lovemaking tangled in his blonde pubic hair. He’d need to wash up as soon he woke up. I got dressed, and found a spare blanket and put that over Nai’o before I was walking around the Central Stables collecting stinkbugs for Auni. Some reason I forgot Auni had asked me for them, to prank Nai’o with them after Nai’o had stood him up on a camping trip. That was a few weeks ago now, but better late than never I reasoned.

The first snowfall happened while I was laying with Nai’o leaving a light dusting of white on everything that would most likely melt as the day wore on. I picked some up in my hand and admired it vanishing into droplets of water from my body heat, before letting out a breath, watching the fog from my breath disappear into the air as well.

My breath fogged up the glass, and I poked my tiny fingers into the fog and drew a smiley face. I looked at my seat companion next to me and smiled before she reached over and smeared the smiley face with her chubby fingers. I frowned.

I let out a breath as I found myself back in Palia. I had to be in kindergarten or something in that memory.

As I searched for bugs I knew Spookfest was coming up. I wondered what I would dress up as. I had a few more days to decide. I didn’t wander far from the Central Stables, and I was picking some sweet leaf that was growing in vicinity of the stables, when I felt something cold hit my back. I turned to see Nai’o having a smile on his face, before glancing at my feet to find a small snowball.

“Really?” I said, as I balled up some snow in my hands, and threw a snowball back at Nai’o who dodged it while running up to me. Oh fuck…run!

I began running around the stable, with Nai’o hot on my heels. Eventually he caught up to me, when I dipped inside of the stables and he pinned me against the wall. His lips taking mine in a heated kiss we both got lost in. Soon, I was naked from the waist down, I pulled myself out of my trance long enough to step out my pants while Nai’o was pulling on the sleeve he had in his pocket, before I was hoisted up against the wall and we were intimately intertwined again.

I sighed a moan as I wrapped my legs around Nai’o’s hips while he protected my lower back from his thrusts with his arms. One of my hands was on the back of Nai’o’s head, his blonde hair between my fingers, while my other arm and hand was wrapped across Nai’o’s back, steadying myself against the wall Nai’o fucked me against.

It was so delicious, needy, and feral. Nai’o’s hand delved between us to play with my clit, and I found myself coming to orgasm as Nai’o switched up his thrusts. I couldn’t help it, he brought me to a squirting orgasm doing this. I clung to the man, like my life depended on it, and buried my face in the crook of his neck, biting the flesh there to suppress my moans as I heard fellow humans outside.

Nai’o pulled the collar of my shirt aside, and I could feel his orgasm wash over him as he sank his teeth into the skin and trap muscles. My hands squeezed both Nai’o’s hair and clawed into his back when he did this, in pain. Nai’o grunted several times, before he released his mouth on me, allowing me to loosen my grip on him as well. We both looked at each other wild-eyed, and in a state of disbelief.

“Are you okay?” I asked first, out of breath. Nai’o’s mouth had blood trickling down the corners of his lips, and blood staining his teeth.

“Are you?” Nai’o asked, as he glanced down at his cock that was inside of me and the growing wet spot on the front of his pants, then at my shoulder where the blood from Nai’o’s bite was beginning to stain my shirt. We both laughed before Nai’o took charge of the situation. “Let’s get you cleaned up. I think there’s an extra shirt here somewhere.” Nai’o said as he pulled out of me, but carried me bridal style to a bathroom where he started the shower. Once I approved of the water temperature he set me down inside.

“Get undressed. Wash that bite, and I’ll be back with a shirt for ya.”

I nodded and set to the task of undressing and getting into the shower. Once inside, I washed the bite and myself before Nai’o came back with a spare shirt. I smiled at Nai’o, as he undressed and set the shirt down as well as a first aid kit on the sink before stepping into the shower. He had a hicky starting to form on his neck from where I bit him, but I didn’t draw blood, and a small scratch were I scratched him, meanwhile the bite Nai’o gave me, wasn’t as bad as Hassian, Reth or Jel, but he did it into my muscle which caused it to hurt badly and was causing my trap muscle to spasm.

“I think I should see Chayne about this bite. I think you bit into my trap muscle.”

“I wasn’t meaning to; it was so intense…I just…couldn’t control myself.”

“I’ve heard that before.” I said, “Let me guess, you got the uncontrollable urge to mark me, to make me yours? Right?”

Nai’o blinked rapidly. “H-How’d you know?”

“I guess that’s the effect I have on all of you Majiri men. Fuck, Kenyatta wasn’t that bold to bite me. But I’m…4 of 4 so far for bitemarks from you guys.”

Nai’o turned a deep shade of purple. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks for the apology, but let’s not have it happen again…you didn’t bite Kenyatta did you?”

Nai’o shook his head. “No, I didn’t, but she had a hand in making my pin for you, so…”

Kenyatta helped him make his pin for me? I felt myself swoon for a moment. “Let’s take care of this bite and get cleaned up. We gotta figure out breakfast as well. I’m assuming we’re taking Sugarfoot back into town, right?”

Nai’o nodded. “That’s the plan. As for breakfast, figured I’d take you to the Inn. Reth added a new item to the menu and I’ve been wanting to try it.”

A smirk curved my lips. “Let me guess, The Haystack?”

“What? How’d you know? Are you reading my mind?”

I chuckled and shook my head. “I may or may not have been behind that addition.”

“I ought to tickle you!” Nai’o said as his fingers cinched into my side causing me to laugh. “You really were behind that?”

I laughed even more. “It was something I remembered having, so I made it after I stayed the night with Tish…”

Nai’o’s hand dropped to his sides as he frowned. “You and Tish?”

I knew instantly what he was thinking and shook my head. “Nai’o. No. She was having a really hard night, she gave me her key the day before. I got her out of a sticky situation, we’ve kissed, nothing more…but you know how she feels about me. She’s been crushing me, and in her feelings for me for a while now too. I feel bad for her.”

“The Corinth effect really is real, isn’t it?” Nai’o said, as he grabbed a sponge that was hanging off the wall of the shower and loaded it with some soap. “I wonder sometimes if what any of us are feeling for you is real. Or if it’s something the Gods have manufactured to bring our races together.”

“It’s as real for me as it is for you Nai’o.” I said, as I wet my hair and moved aside so Nai’o could wash the soap off himself.

“You don’t feel anything for your fellow humans?” Nai’o asked curiously.

I shook my head. “No. Penelope tried kissing me, but I stopped her. I can’t see anything more than friendships with my fellow humans, just people I do things with to get to a greater goal. I’m not attracted to any of them in a physical or sexual way. Just…Majiri. I find each of you irresistible.”

Nai’o nodded in understanding as he went to wash himself off under the shower stream, he handed the sponge to me but curled a finger under my chin as I grabbed the sponge so I would look up at him. “Penelope? The pretty red head? She’s gorgeous too, you rejected her?”

I could simply nod, pulling my head away from his hand as I washed my body. “Humans just aren’t my thing.” I confessed as I washed my body. Nai’o nodded. The hot water felt nice and relaxed my muscles.

We finished up the shower and Nai’o addressed my bite, and we got dressed, the shirt didn’t quite match my pants but until I could wash my shirt, it would have to do. Nai’o and I made quick work of getting dressed and Sugarfoot ready for the ride back to Kilima. Nai’o fed the riffroc before getting her saddled up. He led the riffroc out of the stable while I packed everything up, and checked my reflection, I looked sleep deprived, felt it too.

I went outside to meet up with Nai’o. “Nai’o, you think we could pay Tamala a visit? I wanna see what I can do about getting my hands on that sleep draught she gives to Hodari…”

“You don’t have any left?”

“I’m down to my last two. I’m on over a week of no sleep, and I can definitely tell.”

“Sure. She’s in the cottage in the very north of Bahari still, right?”

“I think so? I haven’t been there yet…you know the way?”

“I deliver to her sometimes, hop on the back and we’ll head that way.”

I nodded, as Nai’o hopped onto the back of Sugarfoot as he offered his hand to help me up onto the back of the riffroc. As soon as my arms were wrapped securely around Nai’o’s waist, Nai’o took off towards Tamala’s cottage.

It wasn’t long before we were stopped in front of Tamala’s cottage. Tamala came out. “What is all that noise…oh. Oh, what do I owe for have two strapping youngin’s in my front yard?” Tamala said, putting her hands on her hips, as she watched us carefully as Nai’o got off the riffroc and helped me down.

“I was wondering if you might be able to hook me up with some of those sleeping draughts.”

“Oh, I see Hodari was so kind as to give you the sample I gave him. I can fix you up, for a price darling but you’ll need to do something for me. I’m fresh out of brightshrooms, I’ll need some if I’m going to whip up those potions for you.”

“Okay, I just need a few more potions honestly. I’m down to the last two…”

“I can whip you up five more with the supply of brightshrooms I have at the moment, do you have 100 gold?”

“Yeah, I do…I’ll see what I can do about finding you more brightshrooms too, I’d hate that you’d have to go through your supply.”

“It’s but a trifle…so, you and Nai’o? Hm? I didn’t take you for fucking the farm boy, but, you should send him my way, I might be able to teach him a thing or two.”

I paused, my hand on my coin pouch in my bag. My anger rising within me. “He pinned me last night, something you clearly have no experience with.” I spat, as I quickly got the 100 gold counted, but instead, I had about 150 gold left, so I just chucked my coin purse at Tamala’s feet. “Here. Perhaps you shouldn’t talk about shit you know nothing about Tamala.” I venomously said.

Tamala laughed, with her full belly. “Ooh, she has teeth. Did I strike a nerve darling? Nai’o here, couldn’t get you to come? What a shame.”

I rolled my eyes and I glanced up at Nai’o who’s face had turned a deep purple. “Nai’o is very capable in the sack, thank you very much. Not that that’s any of your fucking business…”

I felt a strong grasp on my arm as I was pulled up on my feet quickly, the change of posture making me feel dizzy as I felt her sharp fingernails dig into my arm. “It is my business. Nothing gets past me in this village. It would be wise to learn your place little girl.” Tamala snarled in my face. Her breath hot, hitting my face, smelled like the spice sprout tea she must have been sipping on before we got there.

I brought my eyes to hers and ripped my arm from her grasp. “I’m not a little girl, I’m a fucking woman and you don’t fucking scare me Tamala. Your little tricks and potions, spells whatever have you, are just your insecurity showing. You don’t think I see you, but I do. You touch me again, and I won’t hold back.” I then glanced back at Nai’o, who seemed to be worried about what was unfolding in front of him. “Let’s go have breakfast.”

“Uh-uh yeah…let’s do that.” Nai’o stammered, as he got back on Sugarfoot and held his hand out for me.

“Corinth, you don’t know what I’m truly capable of, you’ll rue the day you were born.”

I glanced back at Tamala and rolled my eyes in an act of defiance. “Ooh, I’m so scared. Bring it. Oh, I’ll be back tonight for those potions, or maybe tomorrow morning, I haven’t decided yet.” I said, confidently, knowing I had shaken Tamala up a bit. Nai’o once again helped me up on the back of the riffroc and with a command we were galloping away from Tamala’s cottage. I glanced back, and saw Tamala let out a frustrated shriek before picking up the coin pouch at her feet and storming back into her cottage.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Cori. Tamala…she doesn’t take lightly to being defied like you jus’ did.” Nai’o said and I tightened my grip around his waist as the riffroc galloped down the footpath.

“She doesn’t scare me. She used to, but after talking to Hassian, she’s just insecure and only uses magic to benefit her. I highly doubt that woman even knows what love is and what it all entails,” I said, as Nai’o commanded Sugarfoot to go faster. “I mean, the woman tried taking advantage of me in front of Hodari for fucks’ sake. She only thinks about people as tools, or a means to an end.”

Nai’o hummed in agreement, “Let’s just get as far as we can from her cottage, I’m hungry, and I’m sure you are too.”

I pulled the front of my body flush against the back of Nai’o’s. “Food sounds so good right now.”

“Mm, figured so. We’ll be comin’ up on the gate to Kilima soon, just hold tight baby.”

Much like the night before, Nai’o jumped off the riffroc and opened the gate to Kilima, before hopping back on Sugarfoot again and we took off like a bolt of lightning. We made it to the Inn a couple of minutes later and Nai’o hopped off before helping me down from the riffroc.

“Why don’t you go in and get warm, I’ll get Sugarfoot here tied up,”

“Sounds good. Thank you Nai’o.” I said, as I reached up on my tip toes, and placed a sweet kiss upon Nai’o’s lips before I made my way inside the Inn.

“Oh, here comes trouble.” I could hear Ashura say.

I looked at Ashura, and pointed to myself, “Me? Trouble? Nah!”

Ashura chuckled, “I jest, good to see ya kiddo.”

I glanced around to find Reth in the kitchen making what looked like pancakes. The smell of various breakfast foods permeated the air of the Inn. The smell made my stomach growl angrily at me. I scanned the Inn for a place to sit, and found a table by the windows open, so I went to sit down.

“Reth, you got some VIPs coming in.”

“On it Ashura!” Reth called out as he shuffled out of the kitchen and I had just sat down. I looked up and over at him. “Oh, hey babe! What are you—” Just then Nai’o stepped into the Inn, and quickly found me. “Oh—Nai’o! Nai’o?” Reth asked, as Nai’o sat down in the chair next to me and draped an arm over the back of my chair. Reth’s eyes scanned over me and saw the three pins I wore on my cloak. “He pinned you last night?!?”

Nai’o looked up at Reth, and nodded. “I sure did. Hey, I wanted to try that haystack you added to the menu…could I get an order of that with some coffee?”

Reth was still shellshocked, his mouth was agape, and he wasn’t registering a single word Nai’o had just said. “Reth? Are you going to be okay?” I asked, and my voice seemed to break him out of the state of shock he was in.

“Uh—yeah, I just…Haystack you said Nai’o? With coffee? Black, right? What about you babe—uh I mean Corinth.”

“What other things have you added to the menu Reth-baby?”

“Uh,” Reth flushed, “blueberry pancakes, pancakes with sweetberry syrup and whipped cream, and a pancake platter with peki eggs, chapaa bacon, and hashbrowns on the side, or the haystack.”

“Wow. You took my idea and ran with it, I love that. Uh, let me get that pancake platter…with coffee, two creams and two sugars, just how I like it.”

“Pancake platter with coffee two cream two sugar. Got it. I’ll be back with your food.” Reth said, his eyes switching back and forth between Nai’o and myself before he shuffled back into the kitchen again.

“Reth seemed shocked.” Nai’o said, stating his observation.

“I don’t think he expected us to be a thing so soon, if I’m honest.”

“Was it too soon? Should I have waited?”

“You did what you felt you needed to do Nai’o. Clearly I would’ve said no, if that was the case.” I said, looking at the blonde-haired Adonis next to me. He blushed again and rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, a habit he often did when he was feeling bashful. “I certainly don’t regret it.”

“I don’t either.” Nai’o said, flashing me his signature smile. Just then Reth came over and placed our coffees in front of us on the table.

“Nai’o, you don’t mind if I steal Corinth from you for a quick minute do you?”

Nai’o shook his head. “I don’t mind at all.”

“Good, Corinth, can I talk to you a moment?”

I nodded, and got up out of my chair. I followed Reth out to the back patio when he turned around to face me. “So, you and Nai’o huh? When were you gonna tell me?”

I shrugged. “Uh, this is my way of telling you, it’s Nai’o’s way I guess too. He suggested we come in for breakfast.”

“I see. He took care of you right?”

“Of course Reth, I honestly wasn’t expecting him to pin me, but it happened.” I said, looking at Reth. He pulled his lips into a thin line and nodded.

“I guess I have no choice but to get closer to him now, huh?”

“I don’t know why the both of you are pussyfooting around honestly. He’s a great guy, and I think the both of you have a lot in common.”

“Well, the man’s stacked, if I say the wrong thing, I can’t imagine what he’d do if he ever got angry.”

“Don’t worry about that. Seriously, I think the two of you would be the best of friends…”

“Really? You think so?” Reth asked, placing a hand on his chin, looking deep in thought.

I nodded. “Totally. You both love your family, both are hardworking people, what’s there not to like? You two would hit it off.”

“Okay, well when you put it like that…I guess. I’ll let you get back to your little breakfast date, what are you doing after this?”

“Probably going back home. I’m on like day eight of no sleep and it’s taking a toll on me.”

“Good. I was about to say something to you about that, everyone’s noticed how ragged you’re looking, and it’s bad enough I barely sleep, I can’t have the love of my life join me. You look rough babe.”

“Ugh, I know. I don’t like looking or feeling like a zombie.”

“Not sure what a zombie is…”

“Literally a walking dead person, Reth. I forgot that the Majiri aren’t familiar with old human references, sayings and superstitions.”

“Well, not a lot of humans remember the old references, sayings, and whatever that big word you used at the end was. You’re the only one I’ve seen who remembers anything about the life they had before showing up here, and that, makes you truly unique.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. I’ll come find you when I have time baby,” I said, as I leaned up and placed a kiss on Reth’s lips. “I’m going to let you get back to cooking, I’m absolutely famished.”

“Good, I’ll make your food extra special.”

I smiled. “Wonderful, was that everything you needed to talk to me about?”

Reth nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I gotta pick Ashura’s brain about something too before I get done with my shift. Oh, have you come up with any ideas for the Spooky Ball? I think you might have gotten an invitation to it from Eshe.”

“Yeah, I’ll have to check my mail, and I’m not sure. What do people normally dress up as around here.”

“Oh the usual, sages, magicians, celebrities, other villagers, that sort of thing.”

“So, like, no angels, demons, officers, pop culture references, nothing like that?”

“Um…no? What’s an angel, or a demon? It’s against Majiri law to impersonate the Order, uh…”

“Oh my…okay, I’m too hungry for this conversation. I’ll figure out something, when is the ball?”

“This Friday, I was gonna go as Zeki, honestly. I wanna see the look on his face when I waltz into the ball in a fur suit.” Reth said and I couldn’t help but laugh. That would be a sight to see.

“I’ll figure out something I’m sure, I got about a week.”

“Yeah, let me get you fed, I’ll talk to you later babe.”

I nodded. “Yes, I’ll talk to you later.”

With that, we parted ways, Reth went right back into the kitchen while I took my seat next to Nai’o.

“Hopefully that was a good chat.”

“It was. Reth just wanted to know what happened last night, and if I was okay. That’s all.”

Nai’o nodded as he slid my cup of coffee to me. The side had a drying drip trail of coffee sliding down and I looked at Nai’o with a raised eyebrow. “I hope you don’t mind that I took a sip of your coffee. I wanted to see how you liked your coffee…”

“Okay?”

“It’s too sweet for me.”

“Oh, I like my coffee a little sweet. The sugar and cream cuts through the acidity of the coffee.” I said, as I took a sip of my coffee. It had cooled considerably but was still palatable.

“I see. I rarely get to drink coffee, Ma usually had sweet leaf, or knapweed tea waiting for us in the morning.”

“We had coffee shops everywhere from what I remember. Starbucks, Dutch Bros, Caribou coffee…all of which had different tasting coffee.”

“Which was your favorite?” Nai’o asked, turning his head toward me.

“Starbucks and Dutch Bros for sure. I don’t think I cared for Caribou all that much.”

“Huh.” Nai’o said, just as Reth appeared at our table with two plates in his hands.

“I’ve got a Haystack for you Nai’o, and an upgraded blueberry pancake platter for you babe…” Nai’o raised his eyebrow at Reth. Reth caught his sideway glance. “Dude, you know I’ve pinned her too.”

“I know…I know Hassian has given her his pin too…”

“I don’t mean to make things awkward, but you’re splitting her three ways now…”

I looked up at Reth, shocked. “Reth!” I wasn’t used to him being so blunt.

“What? It’s the truth. You wanted me to be more honest.” Reth said, meeting my gaze. “But enjoy your breakfast. I got soup to make and all that.”

Nai’o stared at his food. “He’s got a point.” Nai’o said before he stabbed into his perfectly cooked over easy eggs before looking at me. “I’m not mad though. I mean, you’re not mad about my relationship with Kenyatta. I have no reason to be mad with your relationships, Cori. You’ve been more than understanding with me, I can do the same with you.”

I nodded before I spread butter over the two blueberry pancakes and poured the syrup provided over my pancakes. I wondered what Reth used for the syrup. It was sweet but not overwhelmingly so, like maple or the generic pancake syrup which was usually high fructose corn syrup with maple flavoring thrown in. It was also a light honey color, but definitely not honey.

“Reth!” I called out, causing the Majiri man to look up from his various soup pots he was working on. He finished what he was doing, before coming over to our table. “Is there a problem?”

“No problem, I was just curious what you used for the syrup, I haven’t been able to put my finger on it.”

“Oh, I used some Birch sap from the trees on the Daiya farm, and made birch sap syrup.”

“Birch you say? It’s delicious! It’s perfect.”

Reth smiled wide. “Glad you like it, I wasn’t sure if it’d go over well…”

“You did a great job, you’re so creative.”

“I still want a day where we cook up a storm though. I gave you my recipes, it’s only fair you share your wealth of knowledge.”

“I will, I promise.”

“Good, enjoy your food before it gets cold.”

I tucked into my food, and it was so good. I demolished my whole plate with Nai’o sampling the blueberry pancakes which he thoroughly enjoyed. He loved his dish as well. Reth would come by and refill our coffees, and left me a dish of sugar, and cream so I could dress my coffee how I liked it. Nai’o paid for our meals, and I made sure to wash our dishes, so not to leave extra work for Reth. Nai’o was outside taking care of Sugarfoot, so I was alone in the kitchen with Reth.

“Did you have fun with Nai’o last night?” Reth asked, as I diligently washed Nai’o’s plate.

“Mmhm.” I purred. I paused, and turned my body towards Reth, who was busy chopping vegetables. “He took good care of me last night, and I got to ride on Sugarfoot, I didn’t know how fast riffrocs moved. I thought I was going to die by falling off the back of her.” I said, as I turned back towards the sink to rinse off Nai’o’s plate.

“Nai’o wouldn’t allow that. I’m sure you were clinging onto him for dear life,”

“Yeah, I had to. Otherwise yeah, off the back of Sugarfoot I would’ve gone.”

“You love him?” Reth asked, as I finished washing up my plate. I could hear him stop chopping his vegetables. I rinsed off my plate and set it in the dish rack to dry before I turned back towards him. He was looking at me.

“Reth, are you jealous? I love you, I love Hassian, I love Nai’o.”

Reth shook his head. “Nothing like that babe, I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t rushing into this too quickly. I mean, it’s only been a little over a week since he kissed you, and now you have his pin. Not saying it’s not possible to fall in love that quickly, cause honestly, I had feelings when I first laid eyes on you, but…you’re really okay with him being with Kenyatta, and vice versa?”

I could just shrug as I could feel the blood drain from my face. “Kenyatta and I…we’ve…already…”

“Whoa! You and the magistrates daughter?!?! You know I’ve kissed her right?”

“You’ve kiss Kenyatta?” I asked, as I started washing the silverware and cups. I was kind of shocked. I didn’t know Reth and Kenyatta we’re even a thing. “When was this?”

“Oh yeah, pissed Nai’o right off too. Eshe thought it’d be fun to have a play, and well, instead of kissing Nai’o like she was supposed to she wanted to ruffle her mom’s feathers and decided to make out with me…” Reth confessed, as he dumped the vegetables in one of the soup pots. “Honestly, she’s not that great of a kisser. It was like kissing my own hand. It was shortly after I moved to the valley here.”

“Speak for yourself there, lover boy. She’s electric, like, I was being shocked by a thundering eel.”

“Damn.” Reth said, looking over at me. “So…what did you all do?” His voice dropping to a hushed whisper.

I finished washing up the cups and silverware and set them in the dish rack before I turned to him. “Let me ask you this? What do you think we did?”

“Hm…enlighten me. I honestly thought you were straight, Fancy Pants.”

“Well after what I did with Kenyatta, I’m definitely bisexual. But I think I’m simply Majiri-sexual.”

Reth let out a laugh at this as he grabbed some sernuk steaks out of the fridge, and began dicing them up into chunks. “Majiri-sexual, that’s funny.”

“But yeah, I found out I love a woman’s curves, and eating a woman out…I mean I thought kissing Jina was hot, but Kenyatta…” I said, letting out a breath. “She’s something…”

“Fuck Fancy Pants…” Reth groaned. “That’s fucking hot.” Reth said, as he finished chopping up the sernuk steaks and threw those in one of the soup pots. “Seriously, Cori, you got me hot and bothered now, I might stop by tonight…I won’t be able to stop thinking about you and Kenyatta…I also want more details.”

I smirked. “I don’t know if I’ll be home tonight, I may or may not be. Depends on what else comes my way I guess.” I said, chuckling, before walking up to Reth and wrapping my arms around him for a hug before giving him a kiss. “I better go and see what else Nai’o has planned.”

“Hey, put a good word in for me with Nai’o will ya?” Reth asked, looking at me as his hands slid down my back and landed on my ass where they squeezed causing me to let out a squeak.

“I will. I’ll see you around.” I said as I walked out of the kitchen and out of the Inn where Nai’o was untying Sugarfoot.

“Shall I take you home baby, I gotta go back and get stuff done before my family gets home.”

“Sure baby.”

Nai’o got on Sugarfoot, and helped me up behind him. He took off towards the human plots and Nai’o opened the gate and got back on Sugarfoot and we got to my plot.

He then got off Sugarfoot and helped me off the riffroc. Zeki, had been waiting on my plot for me. “Zeki? What are you doing here?” I asked, once my feet hit solid ground.

Zeki’s eyes switched between Nai’o and myself, as his mouth curved into a mischievous grin. “Am I interruptin’ somethin’?”

I shook my head. “No, how long have you been waiting up here for me?”

“Since I closed down the underground.”

“I’m sorry, I was just spending time with Nai’o.”

“I clearly see that. I see he pinned you too.”

I blushed and nodded. “He did.”

“Hey babe, I’m going to leave you to it. I’ll talk to you later.” Nai’o said and I could tell he felt out of place, especially with Zeki there. I nodded, and waved at Nai’o as he got on the riffroc and led Sugarfoot off of my plot.

“You’re makin’ waves Corinth…not sure if you’re ready for the fallout of your actions…”

I turned my eyes to the short Grimalkin who seemed to be watching me intently. “My actions? Zeki, I highly doubt me following my heart is going to…”

“You’re wearing three pins Corinth. That’s taboo…you can choose two at a time to wear. If you want to avoid trouble, you’re gonna have to put one away.”

“Aw…really? That silly.” I said, as I looked over Hassian’s, Reth’s and Nai’o’s pins on my cloak. “Is it against the law or something?”

“Not exactly breakin’ any laws kiddo, but it’s more of an ethical taboo. People see more than two pins, it gives off a vibe that you’re easy to get in bed…you don’t wanna become the town hussy…rumors are already goin’ around about you. Trust me, you don’t wanna be lumped in with Tamala.”

“I’m not Tamala.” I said, feeling my stare harden at Zeki. I crossed my arms over my chest. “What are you here for anyway?”

“Well, not to make you feel bad about yourself. I’m glad you’re getting close to the people here. Speaking of which, I figured you’d be the best person to come to to pass out some of the flyers I drew up to advertise the underground. As you know, I've set up a little shop in the tunnels under the village for...uh...antiques from the Human era and other hard to acquire items. I was hopin' you could spread the word by givin' a few of my flyers out...be careful only to give 'em to the right folks, okay? I wouldn't want the mayor or the magistrate sniffin' around.”

“Sure thing Zeki.” I said, as Zeki pulled some flyers out of his pocket and thumbed three out of the pack, before handing them to me. “Just three? You sure you don’t want me to pass the others out?”

Zeki shook his head. “I got some other humans in mind to carry out this little errand for me, I know you got a lot on your plate too, trying to impress Eshe and all that. Make sure you don’t give her one, as I said, I don’t want Kenli or Eshe snoopin’ around.”

“Got it. Was that it?”

“Yeah, that was it. Catch ya around Corinth, be good to Reth.” Zeki said, as he slipped the flyers back into his pocket and strutted out of the gate. I let out a breath, and came up with a list of people who might be interested in checking out the Underground. Caleri might be interested, she was always looking for more books to add to her collection. Auni might be interested because he was into ancient human relics. Then Jel, he was always looking for inspiration for his clothing designs.

It was settled then. I watered my crops and harvested some tomatoes, potatoes, onions and carrots. Upon putting them away, I decided to do a bit more organizing, and start on a tomato sauce. With some of the potatoes, I decided to try my hand at gnocchi using a fork to shape the pasta.

It seemed to turn out well. I fried up the gnocchi and threw in the tomato sauce I made, and it was delicious. I had a few leftovers, so I put them in the storage chest outside, that I was using as a makeshift fridge. With my focus topped off, I knew I needed to start growing different crops, I really wanted to grow some wheat, and maybe some rice. Both grains were versatile. I could make rice flour, which if I could get my hands on some sugar and cream to make sweetened condensed milk. Ooh, Horchatas sounded so good. I figured I’d get some laundry done as well and change out of Nai’o’s shirt.

I then checked the mail, and found Eshe’s invitation for the Spooky Ball. Both Jel and Tish were in charge of the decorations, while Eshe would have the meal catered by a caterer in Bahari City, as well as Reth. Alcohol and drinks were to be provided by the Inn. Humans were allowed to bring whatever sweet treats we could provide. I suddenly had a plethora of ideas run through my brains of things I could fix. I just needed the coin and to see if Zeki sold flour, butter and sugar in his shop.

I glanced over at the flyers that Zeki left for me. I let out a breath and glanced at the clock on the wall. A few hours had passed since Nai’o dropped me off, and figured it’d be a good time like any to get these flyers handed out. I went and dropped all my starstones into the shipping bin. That should give me several thousand gold right there.

The library was closest to my plot, so I figured I’d bring Caleri a flyer. The woman was standing behind the desk per usual. “Hey Caleri, figured you might be interested in this.” I said, as I set a flyer down and slid it across the wood surface of the desk.

“What in the…” Caleri said, before her eyes fell to the flyer and scanned over it. Her glare softened as she read over the flyer. “Normally, I don’t approve of this sort of thing but…I might go just to see if there are some rare books that need to be rescued.”

“Wonderful,” I said, as I waited for her eyes to meet mine again. “Let this stay between us, hm?”

“Certainly. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, I shall check it out tonight.”

“See you later,” I said, as I walked over to Jel’s shop.

“My muse.” Jel greeted the moment I stepped into his shop, his eyes roaming over my body. “What brings you by to see me? I have missed you so these last couple of days.”

“This.” I said as I pulled out a flyer and handed it to Jel who look it. “Is what brings me by today.” I said, looking at the tall, slender man. His eyes widened as he readjusted his rose-tinted glasses.

“A sale on magic items? I suppose I could find something to inspire my art.” Jel said as he turned around and placed the flyer upon his wood desk.

“Good! Please let it stay between us though, Jel,” I said making eye contact when he turned toward me again.

He smiled. “These lips are sealed, Mon Amour. Thank you for sharing this tidbit of information with me.”

“Oh, by the way, you may see Reth down there. So, all the more reason to go, am I right?” I said, letting the man know I knew about their heated rendezvous in the Inn while I sleeping off Mikhail’s sleep arrow.

Jel turned an impossibly deep shade of purple, “W-what do you mean by that?”

“Jel, I know about you and Reth, you don’t have to keep it a secret from me…it’s cool.”

“I—I am…without words.” Jel said, as he hid his face.

“I have that effect on people. I’ll stop when I get the chance. See you later Jel.” Just as I turned on my heel, something glittery and glistening from the corner of my eye. I glanced over at it, and there displayed on one of Jel’s mannequins, was a beautiful costume. I was breathless as it caught my eye. It was glittery light aqua blue, with equally as glittery purples accents and wings. It seemed to have a life of its own. Small butterflies circled the piece. I had never seen anything as beautiful as this outfit. “Actually…Jel, do you think I could try this on? It’s gorgeous, and I need something for the spooky ball coming up on Friday.”

“Oh the Sylph outfit I created. Certainly, although I must tell you, it will not be cheap.”

“How much?”

“20,000 Gold.”

“For something I’ll only wear once? Wow…that’d take like all week to come up with Jel.”

“You like it though?” Jel asked, glancing down at me as he stood next to me.

“Like it? Jel, this is fucking gorgeous. I love it. It’s so beautiful.”

“I must admit, I did make it with you in mind, and I envisioned you in it. I’ll make you a deal, I’ll let you loan it for the ball. I’m assuming that is what you’re going to wear it for, correct?” Jel asked, as I brought my eyes up to meet his.

I nodded quickly. “Yes. It’s perfect.”

“Good, let me get it off the mannequin and we’ll see how it looks on you. Why don’t you go to the dressing room and strip down. I’ll meet you in there shortly.”

I nodded as I walked into one of the dressing rooms, and stripped off my clothes before there was a knock on the door. “Come in.” I said, as Jel came in, his eyes scanning of my nude body. I could feel myself smirk when Jel’s face turned a deep purple as he brought the costume up to hide his face.

“I can say, I wasn’t expecting you to be completely nude when I came in here.”

“You told me to strip down.” I said, chuckling. “You’ve seen naked before, there’s no reason to be bashful.”

“I know I did…here. A pair of panties, to protect the outfit from your vaginal fluids.” Jel said, as he handed me a pair of thin white cotton panties which I quickly pulled on. Jel then prepared the costume for me to step into. “Okay, I think I’m ready for you to step into the outfit Mon Amour.”

I nodded and stepped into the leg holes as Jel slid the outfit onto my body. It was a snug but perfect fit. Next were the wings which strapped onto my shoulders like a backpack. I looked over at my reflection in the mirror. “Hey!!! Who is that vixen in the mirror…is that me?”

“Indeed it is. Oh my Dragon, Corinth! This is perfect for you…I was hoping this would catch your eye when I set it out on the mannequin this morning,”

“Well done Jel. This is absolutely beautiful…like seriously. You outdid yourself with this one…” I said, as I looked at myself in the mirror, as Jel readjusted the bodice to show more of my cleavage, granted I wasn’t blessed in the tits department, but I could flaunt what little Embra bestowed upon me.

“Oh, just you wait until you see the ideas I have for your Acceptance Ceremony dress…oh, speaking of which, have you chosen a shepp yet?”

I shrugged. “I’m going to make Ashura my shepp. I’m just not…” My eyes made contact with Jel’s dark blue which were tinted purple through his rose colored lenses. “…close enough to him yet, you know? Give me like another month then maybe I might know him well enough to ask.”

“You’re not choosing myself, or Reth? Or Hassian? I’d be your Shepp in a heartbeat Mon Amour. Truly. All you need to do is…”

“I know Jel, but Eshe told me she would prefer that I am not romantically linked to my Shepp. I’m assuming for reasons which would include that our romantic relationship would cloud your judgement. But yeah…”

“What about Sifuu, you’ve gotten really close to the woman through her son.”

“Sifuu is like a mother-in-law to me Jel, while I think it’s cool I could ask, I don’t think she’d be a good fit for me. I need someone who’s going to hold my feet to the fire and be harsh on me when I fuck up. Sifuu, she’s liable to take me to the closest tavern and get me drunk out of my mind. Ashura, he’s like my father here in Palia”

“I see. Ashura’s done that for you?” Jel asked, as he fixed the fabric around my neck, making sure everything was centered.

“Exactly. Yeah, he talked to me about Reth, and he let me know me helping him wasn’t doing him any favors.”

“Well that is true, hopefully you were honest with him.”

“I was. Reth was going to talk to Ashura tonight? Maybe sometime this week. I don’t know, I know he needs to talk to Tish too.”

“You told her too?!?” Jel exclaimed, a hand over his mouth.

“I had to. I didn’t want Ashura gettin’ reamed for something he didn’t do. He would’ve probably told Tish and she would’ve been suspicious when she found out Reth wasn’t working the night shift at the Inn. We both know that Jel.”

“We do…” Jel said, as he turned me around and placed his hands on my shoulders. I looked up at him, and he met my gaze. His hands felt hot on my skin. “That explains a lot. I didn’t want to be the one to tell her. She’s had her suspicions yes, but you’re a true friend. Did she react well when you told her?”

I shook my head. “No. She’s been upset ever since. What was up with you in Tish’s shop the other night? How long have you been having feelings for Tish?”

“Honestly. Since she showed up here six months ago. I’ve been smitten by both of them I’ll admit.”

“So, what? You’d rather be friend zoned by both of them rather than admit your true feelings?”

“Something like that, yes.” Jel sighed. “I know you and I are courting, I would like to take you with me when I see my family this weekend. It can be your first introduction to the Omiata family if you will.”

My jaw dropped. “Jel, you haven’t pinned me, nor have I pinned you…isn’t that…like…rushing things?”

Jel smiled as he slid his hands down my arms and took my hands in his. “My muse, why do you think I have no intentions on pinning you?”

I let out a sigh and looked down at our intertwined hands before looking back up at him. “I don’t know. I thought you were into Reth and Tish more than you were into me. I mean you damn near bowled me over getting to Tish night before last.” I confessed, and it was the first time I let Jel in on the insecurity I felt.

He let go of one of my hands to caress the side of my face as he shook his head. “No, if anything, my pursuit of you has made me realize I can harbor feelings and affections for others.”

I didn’t realize how close Jel’s face was until he closed the short distance pressed a kiss to my lips. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his slender frame as Jel deepened the kiss. I completely forgot we were still in Jel’s dressing room.

“Jel? Jel! Where are you?” It was Tish. I pulled away as my eyes widened. Jel too pulled away and completely backed off.

“In here Tish! Just helping Corinth with a costume for the Spooky Ball.”

“Oh, can I see?” Tish asked, through the door.

Jel looked at me and I shrugged. “Why not?” I said, as Jel put his hand on the door knob and opened the door. Tish was on the other side.

“You can come in.” Jel said.

Tish walked through the opened door into the dressing room we were in and her eyes widened and jaw dropped in shock. “Corinth! Oh my Dragon! That looks so amazing! When I saw Jel making this, I was in awe, it’s absolutely perfect on you!”

I did a little curtsy in the now cramped dressing room. “Thank you, Tish.”

Jel then turned to Tish. “Was there any reason why you stopped by my shop dear?”

“Um. I wanted to talk to you in private, if that was possible.” Tish said, looking up at Jel. Jel nodded.

“Certainly, let me help Corinth out of this, and I’ll meet you by my desk.”

Tish nodded before she looked at me one last time before exiting the dressing room. Jel then began the task of removing the outfit from me. Once the outfit was off, I went to peel off the panties, but Jel stopped me.

“They’re yours, don’t worry about paying me for them, but I’ll set aside the costume for you, and the day of the ball, come by and pay a deposit down, you’ll get it back as long as nothing untoward happens to the costume.”

I nodded. “Okay then. How much is the deposit?”

“Just the cost to recoup the materials 5,000 gold.”

“I should have that by Friday,” I said, handing the costume over to Jel.

”Good, I’ll take this and set it someplace safe, you can dress and go about your day.”

“Will do, thank you Jel.”

“The pleasure was all mine.” Jel said, as he carefully folded up the costume and exited the dressing room. Meanwhile I threw on my clothes and walked out of the dressing room. I turned my head towards Tish and Jel.

“Don’t have too much fun without me.” I said, waving at both Jel and Tish. “I’ll see you two later.”

They both nodded as I walked out of Jel’s shop. I wondered what they were going to talk about for a moment, as soon as that thought hit, Auni running around doing the mail run, and knew I could probably give him a flyer. So, I raced back up to my plot to wait for him.

Auni showed up moments later, and he looked at me with a grin that was missing a couple of more teeth.

“Oh heya Corinth! I lost two more teeth since you last saw me! The tooth taker gave me 15 gold per tooth! Isn’t that sweet?!”

“Ooh, I noticed that. I got an idea of where you can spend all that gold. Here you go!” I said, as I handed Auni the last flyer to the underground.

Auni’s eyes widened with excitement as he read over the flyer. “A secret store of human stuff!!! Boy am I in! In fact, I don’t think I’ve been so into something in my whole life! I’ve got to start saving my mail route money pronto!”

I let out a laugh at the boy’s excitement. “Well don’t spend it all in one place, or do! I’m sure Zeki wouldn’t mind.” I said, flashing a smile at the boy. “Got any plans for the week?”

“Pa’s supposed to take me camping up in Bahari Bay, he likes catching up with Hodari, and gettin’ sweetleaf for Ma. But I get to explore the Bay none the less! Anyway, you got two letters, one from Tish, and one from Kenyatta! I’ll see ya around Cori!”

Then I remembered the stinkbugs. “Oh wait! Auni!”

“Huh? What’s up?”

“Here. I know it’s weeks late, but the stinkbugs you asked for.”

“Oh yeah! I forgot about these! Thanks again Corinth!”

“See ya around Auni!” I said, watching as the kid left my plot.

Meanwhile I opened my mailbox, and retrieved the two letters. I opened Tish’s letter first.

Dear Corinth,

Hey...so remember when you told me about Reth working with the cartel, and it was all because of my illness? I think I found a way to get him out. Could you come find me and we'll talk?

Oh boy, either this is going to go terribly wrong, or pretty good. I couldn’t deny the sinking feeling in my stomach though, upon reading Tish’s words.

The next letter was from Kenyatta.

Corinth, I thought we were cool! How could you betray me like this? Seriously, this dress you helped Jel design is an utter disaster. I look CLASSY. How could you?!

I pulled my eyebrows together in confusion. Wait, what? Kenyatta’s dress had piranha teeth the last time I saw her dress. The ball was literally on Wednesday. I let out a grunt of anger.

“Jel, what the fuck did you do now?” I muttered to myself, as charged out of the gate and straight back to Jel’s shop.

Luckily I ran into Kenyatta making her way to the Central stables to meet up with Nai’o.

“Kenyatta! Honey, you didn’t like the piranha teeth? What happened with the design of the dress? The one I saw had the piranha teeth all over it.”

“Piranha teeth? What piranha teeth?”

“The piranhas I went and caught specifically for their teeth! Kenyatta! Come on, don’t play daft with me.”

“I’m not playing daft, there were literally no teeth on the dress. You might want to have a talk with Jel and get this sorted pronto, the ball is tomorrow, I’m going to check that you took care of this. There's no way I'm going to the ball in that monstrosity!”

“Kenyatta I swear! The dress had teeth, not only was it was edgy, it was fucking gorgeous and totally something you’d be able to pull off. I’ll have Jel’s head on a pike if he changed the design and tore the dress up like he said he was going to.”

“Wait, he said he was going to rip the dress apart?”

“Yes, I had to take the scissors and tuck them in my pants to stop him!”

Kenyatta let out a belly laugh. As I let out a groan of irritation. “Better get on it then.” Kenyatta said, as she began walking away.

I turned towards Jel’s shop where he was bent over his desk, pinning together pieces of fabric. He looked up at me as I entered his shop.

“Corinth! You seem to be in a rush of sorts. Is something the matter? Change of heart about your costume for the Spooky Ball.”

“No, tell me why you changed the ball gown design?!” I demanded as I placed my hands on my hips and glared at Jel.

The color drained from Jel’s face as he let go of the fabric in his hands. There was a pregnant pause as I could tell he was trying to find the words.

“...I shrunk under the pressure. I just kept imagining what my mother would say after she spoke to Eshe. Sadly now, Kenyatta refuses to wear the dress. She told me she's going to wear something...off the rack instead! Oh, I'm going to be ruined. No one who's anyone will ever hire me again after they hear of this mortifying scandal. I better go to Bahari City and turn in my needle and thread right now.”

“—Jel please don’t—” I tried to interrupt him in mid-rant, but he turned his back towards me and stared out the window of his shop.

“Oh, what should I do with my life? No one will talk to me after I've abandoned my Path. I suppose I shall have no choice but to become a vagabond, wandering from village to village in search of a hot meal.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a little too dramatic Jel?” I asked, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. I was irritated more than anything, I get it, Eshe paid for the dress, but Kenyatta would be the one wearing it. For once, I wanted Jel to take a risk, but once again, his own insecurities won the battle this time.

Jel turned toward me and narrowed his eyes at me. “You accuse me of being dramatic...NEVER!” Jel said, as he swiped his hand through the air before he turned back to the window and with a forefinger tapped his lips in thought. “Oh, if only I knew someone, anyone who was close enough with Kenyatta to convince her to wear the gown. Then I might be spared my cruel fate!”

I rolled my eyes at the man, luckily he didn’t catch me. “I’ll talk to her Jel, still can’t believe you decided to let Eshe pressure you into changing the design of the dress, but whatever Jel. I’ll try to do damage control.” I said, shaking my head, feeling a bit disappointed with Jel as I turned on my heel and walked out of his shop. I needed to clear my head after all that emotional manipulation.

I slowly made my way back to my plot to find Kenyatta waiting for me. “What? Did Nai’o stand you up?” I asked, still in a pretty foul mood from my interaction with Jel.

“There you are! I was getting tired of waiting around for you to get back. So? Did you talk to Jel about my dress yet? You better have.”

“Or what Kenyatta? You don’t scare me. I talked to Jel, but…”

Kenyatta cut me off. “But what? I don’t like how this is sounding…”

“You’re going to have to wear the dress Jel made for you Kenny. Trust me, it looked a hell of a lot different the last time I was in his shop. It was totally your style too. He couldn’t bear the thought of his mother seeing that dress, and with Eshe pressuring him to see it, he caved. I’m honestly pissed he would even do that!” I said, as I kicked over a bucket of fertilizer that I had by my garden in frustration. “God! Why can’t people just follow through with shit! It’s not that fucking hard! Like grow some fucking balls and take a risk!”

“Whoa, okay, Corinth, take a chill pill, have a seat, something…just calm down.”

I drew in a few deep breaths before turning around to Kenyatta. “Will you not just wear the dress Kenyatta?”

“I might be persuaded to wear it, but you gotta guess what I want you to do?”

I groaned again, and shook my head. “Kenyatta, I’m not doing this with you. When you decide to grow up let me know…” I said, turning on my heel to walk out of my gate to talk to Jel.

“That's really too bad, because I was going to make you an offer that I think might make everyone happy.” Kenyatta drawled, and I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned to her, before crossing my arms over my chest.

“Okay, you have my attention.” I said, making eye contact with Kenyatta. She closed the distance between us a bit before continuing.

“My mom is meeting with my aunt, the Duchess before we’re heading to the Capitol. If you find a stinkbug and hide it in her office before the meeting, I might consider wearing the dress. You know, just to help out Jel.” She said, before placing a hand on my shoulder, before taking her other hand to play with the tendrils of hair that fell on the side of my face. Her eyes switched from my eyes to my lips then back again. “Let me guess, he played the melodramatic card, I’m assuming, right?”

I nodded. “Pretty much.”

“Don’t let it get to you.” Kenyatta said as she curled a finger under my chin and placed a kiss upon my lips. I felt all my anger and worry melt away in the kiss before Kenyatta pulled away. “You are one in a billion Cori, I’ll let you go though. I’ll see you around gorgeous.” Kenyatta purred, as she moved past me and exited the gate to my plot. I turned around, ready to leave my plot, and I took off in a full sprint when Reth showed up in front of me, I tried to stop myself but his eyes widened as his arms shot out throwing whatever was in his hands away from himself as he caught me.

“Whoa Fancy Pants! Where were you headed in a hurry?”

“To get some more stinkbugs, I gave Auni the ones I had already.”

“Hey, you okay?” Then I realized there were boxes with their contents spilled out and a couple of broken bottles on the ground around us, and leaned down and began picking up the pieces.

“Reth! I’m sorry…”

Reth then quickly pulled me back up. “Hey, it’s okay, I got it. Is everything okay with you though Cori-baby? You look flustered.”

“Just trying to smooth things over between Jel and Kenyatta, that’s all, Jel chickened out on his design for Kenyatta’s dress, and caved to Eshe’s idea. Kenyatta doesn’t want to wear the dress now, but she’ll wear it if I put a stinkbug in Eshe’s desk before her meeting with the Duchess tomorrow…”

“Oh shit. Well, I know a thing about breaking and entering,”

“Reth your deliveries, I can’t possibly…”

“Don’t worry about it, I got the night off, however, can’t do much with half of the six pack I brought up here, and a spilled pot of loaded potato soup, but we’ll make do. I came up here to see if you’d be interested in staying up and cooking with me tonight…but…”

“Reth, I’m sorry. Let me help you get this stuff inside.” I said, as I picked up a box that seemed to sustain Reth’s throw while Reth picked up all the glass shards from the three bottles of beer that broke. He tossed them all into his spilled soup pot, upon tossing the contents on to the ground.

“Chapaas will probably eat that up.” Reth said, as he examined the ground. I turned on my heel and brought the box that survived into my house. I set it down on the kitchen counter. I heard the door open shortly after I set the box down and I turned around watching Reth look for something. “Got a garbage bin?”

“In the corner over there.” I said as I pointed to the corner where the bin was at. “Want me to unpack this?” I asked as Reth took care of the glass and what was left of the soup.

“Sure.”

I set out to unpacking the box, there was a knife set, a couple of packages of sernuk and chapaa meat, a small sack of potatoes, and various spices. I then remembered the gnocchi I made earlier and wondered if Reth would like it.

“Hey, you hungry?”

“Starved actually. The soup on your front lawn was meant to be dinner for both of us. It actually hurts me to say that.”

“I made something earlier that you might like. Let me grab it.” I said, as I walked out of my house, and grabbed the gnocchi I made earlier and brought it into the house. It was cold, so it would need to be warmed up on the stove. Reth looked at me, when I entered the kitchen with a raised eyebrow.

“You seriously got that from your storage bin outside? What time did you make that?” Reth asked, seeming skeptical of the contents of the pot I held in my hands. I quickly turned on the burner and set the pot down upon it.

“I made it for lunch earlier today. Should still be okay, right?” I asked, looking over a him while I grabbed a large wooden spoon and stirred the gnocchi, the dish was half frozen, so I needed to break the chunks that froze together apart.

Reth approached me, and peeked over my shoulder. “I mean…it should be. We need to get you a fridge babe. What is it?”

“Pretty sure those are expensive. This? This is fried gnocchi in a homemade tomato sauce. The tomato sauce is made from vegetables I harvested today.”

“Damn…” Reth sniffed the air. “My mouth is watering, it smells amazing.” Reth then reached around me, and ran a finger on the edge of the pan where there were some sauce before he stuck the finger in his mouth. “Mm. Could use some more spices, but that’s a robust, and tasty tomato sauce.”

“Onions, tomatoes, garlic, and carrots, the gnocchi I used potatoes, flour and a peki egg. You’re right on the spices, could definitely use some oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme.”

“Potatoes? What’d you use to shape the gnocchi?”

“The back of a fork, believe or not.”

“Damn fancy pants, was this something you remember having?” Reth asked, as he wrapped his arms around my waist, giving me a back hug.

I shrugged. “Yeah, I remember I liked experimenting in the kitchen, when I had time to.” I said, leaning into Reth and turning my head to give him a kiss on his left cheek.

“Experimentation is good.” Reth said, as his hands moved up to encompass my breasts through my shirt. “Mm…I like a little experimentation.”

I flushed as I stirred the pot, the content’s temperature rising right along with mine. “Reth, I thought you wanted to cook.”

“I do…but I could think of other things we could do too…” Reth said his grip on my breasts tightening, his fingers finding my nipples, through the fabric and rolling them until they were hard. I had so much to do. I quickly pulled myself away from Reth, and handed him the wooden spoon.

“Here, why don’t you stir that, while I go out and find a stinkbug for Kenny. I’ll come back and we can cook before we end the night by putting that stinkbug in Eshe’s desk.”

“Cori-baby, come on…” Reth groaned, “You got me hard…you can’t really expect me to focus on cooking, can you?”

“You got yourself that way sir.” I said, as I pulled out a collection jar and my smoke bombs from my backpack. “I won’t be gone long Reth, just enjoy the gnocchi.”

With that, I left towards Mirror Pond and quickly found a stinkbug, upon throwing a couple of smoke bombs at it, it was incapacitated. I threw it quickly into my collection jar and hurried back to my place to find Reth sitting at the table eating the gnocchi.

“Fancy Pants! This gnocchi is amazing! You might give me a run for my money with your skills girl.” I smiled at Reth’s compliment.

“Thank you!” I said, as I set the collection jar down. “I have procured zeh bug of stink for Kenyatta. So, let’s get a’crackin’ on cookin’ shall we?” I said, in a strange accent that seemed to make Reth laugh.

“Okay, Cori, I left some gnocchi for you,” Reth said, as he shoved the last mouthful of gnocchi into his mouth. “Go get some, and I’ll start setting up to cook.”

I nodded, as I made my way over to the stove and grabbed a bowl and scooped out what remained of the gnocchi and quickly tucked into that. I watched Reth as he washed his bowl and silverware in the sink before setting out to take the meat he brought out of the packaging. He then set out some potatoes, onions, tomatoes, eggs, flour and milk.

“So,” I started, in between bites of gnocchi. “What were you curious about cooking tonight?” I asked, looking up at Reth.

“Those burgers and…what did you say? French fries right?” Reth asked, and I knew he was looking for clarification.

“Oh, yes! Yeah, we’ll need to mince up the meat and make patties out of it. Let me grab my herbs and all that real quick.”

Reth shook his head, “No babe, I’ll get them, you sit and eat.” Reth wasn’t gone long, he found my onions, garlic, spice sprouts, and heatroot. He grabbed the salt and pepper as well from my counter. “Tell me what you want you want minced up and I’ll get it done.”

“The onions and garlic. I don’t think the spice sprouts and heatroot would go well with the burger…”

“I like a little spice.”

“You can put that in your burger, I’m going to just keep it to the garlic and onion in my burger.” I said, as I finished my bowl of gnocchi. I got up from the table and placed my bowl in my sink as I washed my hands, and grabbed my spare cutting board and grabbed the sernuk and chapaa meat and set out to mince it up. My knives weren’t fancy. Reth was in the middle of mincing the onion and noticed me struggling chopping the meat.

He pulled his meat cleaver out from his knife pack and handed it to me. I smiled at him and grabbed the cleaver from him. “Gotta have the right tools baby, let me see your knives.” Reth said, and I set the knife I was using and slid it over to Reth before nodding towards the canister where all of my knives were sitting.

“All my knives are over there.”

“Okay. Good, let me go sharpen these up for you.” Reth said, as he finished chopping up the onions, and garlic before he grasped the knife before sliding out a sharpening stone from his knife set and went to the sink to start sharpening my knives. Meanwhile I used Reth’s meat cleaver to finely mince the meat. I added salt and pepper to the meat and chopped that in, before adding the finely minced garlic and onion and combining that into the meat. I then separated the meat so Reth could add what he wanted to with his burger meat.

Meanwhile, I grabbed the head of lettuce, and broke that down into leaves, sliced a couple of tomatoes, and sliced an onion. I then made a rough ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise using the spices, and pestle mortar Reth brought with him. I then turned around and grabbed a cast iron frying pan. I turned on the gas and started heating up the pan.

I threw in a pat of butter and split the buns Reth had made and brought over and threw those into the pan to toast up. Once they were nicely toasted at put them on separate plates. I then made a patty of the meat I separated and threw it into the heated pan. While the burger cooked, I started chopping the potatoes, which Reth had washed, into shoestring strips.

I then flipped the burger, and Reth had finished sharpening the knives. I looked over at him. “I chopped up the potatoes into fries, but you’ll need to chop up whatever spices you want in your burger.”

“Will do.” Reth said, giving me a smile. I smiled back as I turned back to my burger. There was no cheese but that was fine. I put the patty down on the toasted bun on one of the plates and began dressing the burger how I liked it. Reth meanwhile chopped up some spice sprouts and heat root, and tossed those in his burger meat before shaping it into a ball and taking it over to the heated pan and pressing it down to the desired thickness.

The smell of the meat cooking permeated the air in the kitchen, and so did the smell of the spice sprouts and heat root. The capsaicin from the heatroot dispersed into the air made me want to cough. “That’s going to one spicy burger.”

“I like it spicy.”

I flitted my eyebrows up a couple of times suggestively. “Oh, I know you like it spicy.”

Reth cooked his burger and placed in on the toasted bun on the other plate. He then dressed his burger how he wanted it while I filled the pan with oil to deep fry the potatoes. Once I felt the oil was at a good temperature for frying, I tossed a few handfuls of the fries into the oil and began frying them. Reth sniffed the air and let out a moan in delight.

“Oh my Dragon, that smells glorious.”

“Right? I left some of the grease from the burger patties in there, should give the fries a good umami flavor.” I said, as I stirred around the shoe potatoes as they started to develop that signature golden

“Umami? What is that?”

“Like a savory flavor. The miso broth you use in your ramen, that’s full of umami, or the sernuk noodle soup…its like a meaty savory flavor.”

“I see. See, I knew there was a word for that flavor. I mean savory encompasses it well, but sometimes the flavor is a notch above…now I can use that word, umami.”

“You learn something new everyday.” I said, as I used a strainer to get the now deeply golden fries from the grease and put them on a plate with a dishtowel to help drain the oil from the fries and help them crisp up a bit more.

“Is that the color they should be?” Reth asked, as he went to grab a fry to give it a taste but ended up burning his fingers. He recoiled in shock. “Ah fuck! That’s like touching lava!”

“Reth! They just came out of the piping hot oil! Make yourself useful and grab some salt and sprinkle some on.”

“Yes, Ma’am, after I cool down my fingers.”

I shook my head as I dumped another batch of fries into the piping hot oil. With every fresh batch of fries Reth was there, sprinkling a bit of salt on. The second to last batch of fries got a little too done, so I turned down the heat on the stove before dropping in the last and final batch.

Those turned out perfect. With Reth salting them, Corinth turned off the heat and she placed the plate on the table.

“That’s it?”

“Yeah, that’s it, pretty straightforward isn’t it?”

“Ooh, this looks divine Corinth. Should we dig in?”

“Sure, why not?”

The sounds Reth made once the burger hit his taste buds, I had only heard in the bedroom. Soon the spice hit him, and he launched up out of the chair and ran straight for my storage box outside to grab the jug of ormuu milk I had taken from Delaila’s farm the day I helped out. That made me laugh my ass off.

“You made your burger too spicy didn’t you?” I asked, glancing over at Reth as he quickly chugged down what milk was in the clay jug. He pulled the jug away and had a layer of cream covering the stubble on his upper lip.

“You warned me, fuck.” Reth complained, as he pulled jug up to his mouth again to take a long languished drink, hoping to quell the inferno happening inside of his mouth.

“I told you not to over do it on the spice, though.”

He pulled the jug away once more to address me. “I should’ve listened, fuck me.”

“Maybe later.” I said, as I took a bite of my burger, and let out an obnoxious moan of my own. Fucking hell, it was probably the best burger I had had in my life. A juicy vine ripe tomato, crisp potent onion, fresh lettuce, homemade sauces and beautifully seasoned meat. The garlic and onion were super fresh too and lent their flavor to the lean cuts of chapaa and sernuk meat. The meat was lean, but still had enough fat to make the meat succulent and juicy. For fucks’ sake, it was an orgasm for my tastebuds. Cheese wasn’t even fucking needed. Reth pulled the milk jug away to watch my reaction as I went in for another bite.

“Is yours good?”

“Fucking amazing, here.” I said, as I set the burger back down on my plate and slid the plate over to him. “Almost better than sex, if I say so myself.”

“Almost better than…nah!” Reth exclaimed before he picked up the partially eaten burger, bringing up to his mouth his sank his teeth into it. “Oh FUCK ME!”

“Right?”

“How many cloves of garlic did you use? Did you use a whole onion in the meat? This…THIS! I should’ve listened to you, this, this right here! Oh my Dragon, take it! Take it before I eat it all!” Reth exclaimed, as he slid the plate back to me and I could tell it was the single most delicious thing he had ever eaten in his life.

“Two large cloves of garlic and a half of finely minced onion, a half teaspoon of salt and ground pepper, to what? A half pound of sernuk and a like a third of a pound of chapaa meat…fatty bits and all.”

“Corinth, fuck, the tomatoes, perfect, lettuce, well, that’s lettuce, the onion, perfect, and the sauces but that fucking MEAT! The bread is amazing too, I added a bit more sugar to the dough to counteract the meat.”

“Oh yeah I noticed that. Perfect brioche bun by the way. I didn’t take you for much a baker Reth.”