Exalted: Orgiastic Triumph of the Chosen

[Armphid]

Tor's hands reached down to gently stroke Ivory Dawn's wealth of copper curls and to caress her cheek. She smiled up at him before her eyes half-lidded and she moaned, her hands tightening almost painfully on his lips. "I want that, I can't imagine how good it would feel for you to ride me." He licked his lips, "Gods, it'll be amazing."

"Yess, my Tor," Cunning Starfire's breath was warm on his ass as she purred, "We'll all enjoy the girl, and oh, how fine she'll be." The lithe barbarian woman bounced herself hard and fast on Gunesh's hard, thickness, relishing how well he filled her, how he shifted his hips to strike and rub her insides just right. "Silver Lady, that's a good! Fuck my cunt and lick that slut's pussy! Get her, hnn, good and wet for cock!"

Gunesh licked and lapped faster and faster at Ivory Dawn's pearl. His cunning tongue lashed and teased the nub, the fingers of one hand stroking her labia, two of the others having sunk up to the second joint into her hot, clutching sex and pumping away. The tall Dynast was groaning and grunting into her wet sex, trying madly to keep himself from cumming before the women.

Ivory Dawn suddenly stiffened; her eyes flying wide open and her mouth gaping. She cried out, a wordless, breathy scream of raw passion that rose and then vanished, passing beyond sound as her eyes screwed shut. Her back arched and she mashed herself down hard onto Gunesh's face and skilled fingers. Her cunt clamped down on his fingers and she trembled joyously, her wetness suddenly flooding over the artificer's face.

Cunning Starfire threw her head back and let out a yowl as well, giving Tor's ass a heavy handed slap before she grabbed hold as if she were about to be ripped away by a tempest. The Lunar slammed her ripe body down onto Gunesh's cock one last time and let out a growling, mewling moan as she felt her climax ripple through her, followed almost immediately by a rush of heat and fullness as his hot, heavy seed pumped up into her waiting body.

Tor felt his manhood pulse as Ivory Dawn's shaking delight subsided and she looked up at him with happy, hungry eyes. Then she moved, standing with quick and easy grace, using a simple foot placement throw to take Tor gently down to the floor of the farmhouse. "Uhh! I-Ivory Dawn, what are you," she laid atop him, pressing her body to his and kissing his neck as she rubbed her breasts against his hard chest, "Hhhnn, doing? Gods..."

"Helping you get ready, Tor." She cooed as her hand encountered his cock, slipping down between their bodies, "Oooh, not that I need to. We are going to get along so well."

Cunning Starfire rolled off of Gunesh, a mutual groan escaping both of them as his cock came free of her with a wet, slithering pop. She licked her lips as she looked at the scene of the gorgeous, generously endowed dancer preparing Tor for her use. As she watched he lifted his hands to run them down her shoulders and her back, cupping and fondling her ass as they kissed. An eager, wicked grin split her lovely face; now this would be fun.

Gunesh had risen and knelt next to Tor, reaching between them to give one of Ivory Dawn luscious breasts a squeeze, "I think one isn't enough for you, is it? Lend me a hand and we'll give you what you want, Ivory Dawn."

There was a faint shimmer of silver and Cunning Starfire moved to stand over Tor's head, the young man still lost in kissing the Night caste and exploring her body with his hands. "Yes, help us both get ready, and we'll give you want you want, girl. In every needy hole you have, eager slut." She reached down to stroke her new appendage; though her body was otherwise unchanged, a long and thick black cock now jutted out from above her pussy. She smiled broadly at Gunesh's shocked gasp and the way his eyes fastened on her unnatural prick. "Oh? Do you want a taste too?"

 

[HookerBoots]

Gunesh blinked, his eyes fixed on the hard, thick cock that was now protruding from Cunning Starfire's hips. "I . . . maybe later, but how did you do that?" His cock was no less hard than it had been, but his eyes were mesmerized, almost looking for a seam or some sort of attachment. "That's fascinating, I had no idea you could do that."

Ivory Dawn looked up from her embrace with Tor, lips still swollen with his kisses. "Gunesh," she said, her voice a little seductive, a little amused, "not now. We're in the middle of something here." She reached out with her hands, using Tor's body to support herself for a moment and grabbed his cock and Cunning Starfire's cock. "Ask her about it tomorrow."

The Lunar moaned a little, looking at the soft white hand wrapped around her cock, the contrast with her chocolate-brown skin and silvery tattoos heady. "Yes, I'll tell you everything about it tomorrow," she breathed, looking down at the girl on her knees, eagerly stroking two thick cocks and grinding herself against a third. "But I think our pretty little slut needs every cock we can get her tonight."

Nodding emphatically, the copper-haired dancer stroked their cocks even more vigorously. "I want them, need them." She looked up at Gunesh and Cunning Starfire, almost pouting. "Please?"

The former Dynast groaned, his hands trembling. "Yessss, you'll get what you need." He reached one hand down to stroke her hair, his hand trailing down to grope one of her breasts again. "Gods, what we all want."

Tor was barely aware of the conversation that was happening, the sensation of the beautiful woman rubbing herself all over his body, the wetness occasionally pressing against his cock intense and hot and perfect. He wanted her to lift her hips, sheath him inside of her. Whatever happened after that was secondary. Reason, logic, were gone. He wanted this body around him.

Ivory Dawn looked down at him, her eyes shadowed, as his hands grabbed her hips, guiding her motions. "Ohhh, Tor, are you ready for me?" Without waiting for an answer, even if he could give one, she lifted herself up, taking her hand from Cunning Starfire's cock for a moment to line Tor's cock up with her wet, waiting hole.

She slid down slowly, filling herself as he gasped, trying to catch his breath through the feel of her silky wetness surrounding him. Still stroking the cocks in her hands, though more erratically now, Ivory Dawn moaned and whimpered, starting to pump her hips up and down as he filled her over and over. She started to take the two cocks in her mouth, sucking on each one for a moment before turning her attention to the other.

 

[Armphid]

Tor's breath came in ragged gasps and great drawing breaths; his chest heaving as his dick was wrapped in a heaven of molten silk that clutched at him almost as though it were a hand. "Gods! I-Ivory...so...Gods, so good!" She was the second woman he'd been with; and he wondered if it were even possible for the second to compare so favorably to the first.

His hands slid up form her hips to caress the undersides of her breasts before taking hold of them. She cooed around Cunning Starfire's proud, dark prong, her eye lids fluttering and a smile, as much as it could, curving her lips. She loved that she was drawing this out of him; the boy who was so bold but so sweet and shy.

Her head bobbed up and down eagerly on the Lunar's cock. Cunning Starfire was groaning as she kissed Gunesh, his hands masterfully teasing her stiff nipples. She broke the kiss, licking her lips, "Such a talented little cock sucker, isn't she? Maybe that's what she was Chosen for, hmm, to be a whore for Him and for us?"

Gunesh let out a shuddering groan as the dancer switched to him; warm, wet, skilled eagerness engulfing his manhood. "Not, nn, the only reason, I'm sure. Though, Dragons, the Sun'll be pleased if he ever has the opportunity to sample her gifts."

Tor's hands engulfed as much of Ivory Dawn's breasts as he could hold, his strong grip massaging and fondling the plush flesh. "Who wouldn't, ohh, be pleased? Ah!"

Gunesh caressed Ivory Dawn's head with one hand and then gave Cunning Starfire's right nipple a tweak with the other, making her gasp. "No one with senses. But we're neglecting her, all three of us and only two of her holes filled."

Cunning Starfire grinned as the busty redhead moaned around Gunesh's dick at the comment, "Must use a slut to her fullest. I think...I want to feel her tight little ass on this big dick. You'd like that, wouldn't you slut?"

 

[HookerBoots]

Ivory Dawn couldn't talk around the cock in her mouth, but she moaned, nodding her head around Gunesh's stiff dick. She did want their cocks in her, and while the unnatural shaft growing from the Lunar's hips were would provide a challenge - it was bigger, she thought, than anything she'd had up there before - she was more than willing to take it. As turned on and wet as she was, it would be almost impossible for her to say no to whatever they wanted.

Gunesh, for his part, nodded, his hands tangling in Ivory Dawn's hair. "That sounds, gods, wonderful!" Her mouth was hot and wet, her hands amazing even as they were trembling from the stimulation. He'd have loved to be able to slide his cock into her ass again, or even her pussy, but there was always the future for it. "Ohhh, fuck, girl," he groaned as the copper-haired woman tugged gently on his balls.

With a sweet, dirty chuckle, Cunning Starfire pulled away for a moment, walking slowly to kneel behind Ivory Dawn. "Such a needy little whore," she whispered, leaning forward to whisper in the other woman's ear. "I can't wait to feel this ass around my cock," she murmured, pressing the head of her cock between the stunning dancer's ass cheeks. She gripped it and rubbed it up and down for a moment, spreading her precum and the wetness from where Tor's dick was pistoning in and out of her cunt.

With a slow, deliberate motion, Cunning Starfire pushed her hips forward. Feeling the pressure, Ivory Dawn paused her movement on Tor's cock, letting the other woman have an easier entry. It also let her try to relax more, which she knew from experience would make the process easier. In a short while, there was the painful pleasure of having the cock spread her hole open. Her breath caught in her throat, feeling the head of Cunning Starfire's cock pop into the sphincter.

"Dragons! That feels so tight!" Tor moaned, his hands still playing over the dancer's generous breasts. This was surreal - that he and his mate would be fucking both of the holes of a woman this gorgeous. That he would have a mate! So incredibly hot, and this whole scene was unbelievable. He moved his hips slightly, feeling the press of Cunning Starfire's shaft through the walls of Ivory Dawn's cunt. "Gods," he groaned, biting his lower lip to keep himself from losing control and just starting to pound her, delighting in the new sensation.

Gunesh watched, letting the two women get themselves arranged for a moment. It was amazingly hot, watching two women built that way getting ready to fuck each other senseless. Especially with that addition the Lunar had made to her physique. As he waited, his mind turned inexorably to the idea of how she might have done that, but his reverie was broken when Ivory Dawn moaned around his cock and started sucking again, bobbing her head up and down, her mouth needy and hungry for him.

 

[Armphid]

Ivory Dawn was pressed forward by Cunning Starfire as the Lunar pushed slowly and surely into her; spreading her tight but willing hold as her unnatural cock sank in. The dark skinned beauty's lush tits pillowed against her back and her hands moved to caress the dancer's stomach before moving up to push Tor's aside, "Such a hot little hole," she cooed in the northerner's ear. She gave Ivory Dawn's breasts a squeeze, "And such whorish tits for me to play with while we fuck you silly."

Tor didn't argue but there was a momentary grimace on his face as he shifted his hands down to caress the pale skinned woman's stomach before they settled on her hips. He wasn't moving now; not wanting to do anything that might hurt Ivory Dawn as his ma...as Cunning Starfire filled her ass. Gods, this...this was so strange, and so wrong! But it felt so good and...and he wanted to be part of it!

Perhaps some of what they said about the Anathema was true, after all. Would he have wanted this if he hadn't changed? Of course, if he hadn't, he'd be dead. But-

He felt Ivory Dawn's hands on his chest suddenly and heard a faint, wet pop followed by a deep breath. She leaned down to Tor and kissed him, one of her hands tangling in his hair. Her lips stayed against his as the kiss broke, "Don't think, Tor. It's all right, we all want this and it's good. You're good; please, just enjoy this."

Tor didn't know what to say to that, so he kissed her back and felt her lips smile against his. She lifted back up and winked at Gunesh before looking back at Cunning Starfire and giving her a deep kiss. Then she turned her head back to the cock bobbing in front of her face and took almost the whole thing back into her hungry, eager mouth with a quickly muffled moan.

"Mmm," Cunning Starfire purred low in her chest, "She's ready for us now, my Tor. Follow my lead." As he always should, as she'd teach him to. She pulled her hips back, drawing a few inches out of the dancer's pucker and then she sank back in. She could feel Tor doing the same after her, and Ivory Dawn shuddered with rapture. "Easy and slow now, but soon, oh, soon we'll fuck her just like she wants. Like she needs."

 

[HookerBoots]

The slow build up between her legs and in her ass was almost excruciating. So good, and so nasty at once. Ivory Dawn was moaning, almost perpetually, around Gunesh's cock as the other two penetrated her body over and over. The speed of their thrusts was gaining tempo, and it was making it harder to keep her mind focused on the cock in her mouth.

Her own hips were moving, grinding herself between the two of them, trying to get as much contact, as much fullness, as she could. The cock plundering her ass was just big enough to give her the mix of pain and pleasure that she really liked from anal sex, but not big enough to make her really worry about being torn open. And the friction! Even with the substantial moisture from her pussy, it was just right, her ass feeling like it was clutching the hot, hard cock inside of her.

Tor's cock in her was amazing, the thickness and length as though they were made for her pussy. His hands on her hips were strong and holding her from fucking herself senseless too quickly, his strength beneath her wonderful. And the feel of his rock-hard shaft spreading her open . . . phenomenal. Then she felt, inside of her, the pulsing of the young man's cock, and her eyes opened wide.

She looked down, as well as she could, at him face and saw the powerful struggle he was going through. Pulling her mouth off of Gunesh's cock for a moment, she gasped out, "It's all right, do it!" He looked at her, surprise on his face, and she felt him twitch inside of her. "Do it! Fill me with cum, do it, Tor!"

Gunesh moaned at the sound of the words, and Ivory Dawn's mouth on his cock turned that into a long, low groan of pleasure. Beneath him, the young warrior gasped, feeling the tightness increase as the copper-haired dancer started to milk his cock. "Ugh! Fuck, can't stop . . . fuuuuuuuck!" With a sudden rush of warmth, Tor's cock started to twitch, spurting ropes of sticky, hot cum into Ivory Dawn's wet, willing cunt.

Her fingers clenched, a heavy, pleasure-soaked moan coming from her throat. Cunning Starfire let out a sound between a laugh and a whimper, feeling the change in wetness and tightness from the hole she was buried it. "That's it, my Tor, give this whore the cum she needs!" she gasped, pinching Ivory Dawn's nipples as she rolled her hips even more vigorously.

 

[Armphid]

Tor's hips bucked up hard again and again as he came with groaning grunts his young, fertile seed gushing into the heavenly body atop him. Her sex suddenly clenched down on his cock even as his joy arced through him and filled her; a fresh rush of wetness seeming to almost pour onto him.

The Lunar chuckled as Ivory Dawn whimpered around the thick cock fucking her mouth, "Oh ho, she likes that feeling! Don't you, girl? Love feeling hot, sticky cum in you?" She pushed herself in harder with a growl, her hands taking a firm, almost painful hold of the dancer's big tits, "We'll give you plenty, leave you on the floor with it pouring out of your holes, bitch."

Even amidst his pleasure, Gunesh carefully noted the shift in Cunning Starfire's demeanor. It may be that this was just sex talk, but it was worth noting that she seemed to be reveling in taking charge of...of all of them, in a way. Very worth noting.

The inventor was pumping his hips now and while Ivory Dawn still sucked greedily on his rod, she was no longer bobbing her head up and down on him. Instead he fed himself to her in long, steady paced strokes that pushed him to the back of her mouth and easily into her throat.

Tor panted under Ivory Dawn, the last vestiges of his orgasm leaving him. He felt as though all the golden light that had poured off of Tri earlier had folded into him somehow, suffused his whole being with delight. And still she was on him, her hips shifting as Cunning Starfire started to ream her ass harder and faster. "You're so good, feel so wonderful," he murmured. He groaned and nibbled his lower lip, feeling the pressure of his lover's cock inside the copper haired beauty; so close to his own.

He looked up at the scene above him and felt a surge of sudden resolve. He wasn't done yet. Without thinking, he channeled his power into his endurance and shivered as he felt his manhood rising and stiffening inside Ivory Dawn once again. Tor took hold of her hips and began to thrust up, again moving in a see saw rhythm with Cunning Starfire and matching her pace as best he could. "Need more of this, more of...of fucking you, of this pussy," he gasped.

 

[HookerBoots]

"Mmmmf!" was all Ivory Dawn could say as she felt Tor's cock stiffen inside of her again. He truly was amazing, all those wounds and still up for a third time! Her fingers were twitching as she tried to control herself, the thought and feeling of those hard cocks inside of her driving her to the brink. It was a losing battle, of course. Her eyes screwed closed, her muscles clenched, and she could feel her body start to spasm, her pussy and ass squeezing the cocks inside of her like vises.

It felt like the tight holes were milking those cocks, pulling and coaxing them to give her the sticky white jizz inside of them. Her body was trembling, Tor having to put his hands on her waist and hold her steady while she rode the wave of pleasure. "Oh, hells," he gasped, his breath catching as he felt her body react, flooding his cock with hot wetness.

"Oh, the little slut likes it," cooed Cunning Starfire, thrusting her cock into Ivory Dawn's ass and grinding it for a moment, reveling in the feeling of the other woman's orgasm around her cock. "Such a hot little ass, and I'm going to fill it all up," she breathed, hands still groping the copper-haired dancer's tits with abandon.

As the waves of her orgasm receded, Ivory Dawn moaned again, nodding. "Mmmm! Mnnfffm!" Gunesh gasped and moaned, his eyes closing in concentration. With a gasping sound, Ivory Dawn pulls her mouth off of the Dynast's cock. "Yes! God, fucking cum in me, I want it all!"

 

[Armphid]

Cunning Starfire growled and jerked Ivory Dawn back savagely, almost pulling her off of Tor's cunt and jizz slicked down with the roughness of it. At the same time she speared her thick, unnatural cock into the Solar's ass; spreading her pucker wide open and thrusting deeper into her than the invading member had yet gone. "Then take it, Sun's whore! Take my cum, and my boy's, my little slutty plaything."

Her cock spasmed in the woman's ass and she groaned as she released; flooding Ivory Dawn's bowels with her hot, thick seed. Cunning Starfire wrenched the girl harder against her, whispering fervently in her ear, "You want it, you fucking need it, slut. I know. And I'll give it to you. Now, tomorrow, maybe I'll fuck you as a beast; a pretty Sun Child panting for animal dick and jizz, fill you with it, breed my children on you. That's what you'll want, what you'll be good for."

Tor couldn't hear what his dark skinned lover was saying to Ivory Dawn but he could feel her large, thick prick trembling inside the dancer and filling her with the Lunar's load. His own cock was barely in her now and he growled and half-sat up, shifting his hips to bury himself fully in her heavenly sex again, "Starfire, don't be so rough! You'll hurt her and this is supposed to be fun for us all, right?"

The Lunar woman's cat-like eyes were hard for a moment and glittered with something...unsettling for a moment as she looked back at Tor, her face showing surprise at him speaking to her that way. Then she showed her teeth in an almost smile, "Of course, my Tor, but she does like it you know." She released Ivory Dawn from her grip, letting her fall against Tor's partially raised chest.

Gunesh up to Ivory Dawn again, carefully noting the Lunar's possessiveness in the back of his mind, before she opened wide for him and he slid his cock into her eager mouth. "Dragons, not much longer, gorgeous," he groaned. The northern woman suddenly grabbed his sack and gave it a light squeeze, causing his head to go back and a shocked cry to burst from his lips. He pumped his hips in and out of her mouth faster, his breath starting to hitch, and then he grunted, "N-now! Uhn, great and small fucking gods!"

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet smiles and nods. "Of course you can tell Gunesh. Anything you think might help." Scarlet looks down with a small smile and adds, "I'm touched that you're willing to help me." Scarlet stands and makes sure her cloak is hanging to cover most of the blood. She looks to Tri and asks, "So, how bad is it?"

Tri eyes her from toe to head and cringes visibly when her gaze rolls over Scarlet's face. Scarlet nods once and says, "Alright, I'm going to go downstairs to find my gear and wash up. If I scream, its because they think I killed you and I need you to come prove your continued existence. Otherwise I'll be back up here soon, because yes, I do need to sleep, and if you're willing, I'd be honored to share a bed with you." Quietly, she adds, "I'll understand if not. There are other places to sleep."

Without waiting for a response, Scarlet turns and leaves the room, pulling the door shut behind her. Scarlet's stocking-clad feet make no sound on the smooth wood, and the cool of the floor feels good against Scarlet's hot skin, still flushed and warm from her almost-rape of Tri. Alone now, she no longer has to put a brave face on it, and as she walks down the upstairs hall, her eyes prickle and tears begin to run down her cheeks.

How could she do that to Tri? The poor woman was just trying to help her, to be her friend, and what had she gotten? Pain and a violation just as bad as any rape. Gods, she really is a monster, Scarlet thinks miserably. She sniffles and wipes her eyes, then squeezes them shut to halt the flow of tears, leaning against the wall in the gloom.

It is there in the darkness that Scarlet first hears the sounds coming from down stairs. Wet impacts, lusty moans, pleasured cries, and indistinct words fill the air and Scarlet looks toward the stairs curiously. It seems that her new companions needed to release some tension. Stepping lightly, Scarlet makes her way down the stairs and stops halfway down, eyes wide, as she's confronted by the scene of Ivory Dawn being taken by all three of the other exalts.

The Dancer's body is slick with sweat, and the look on her face is almost pure bliss, at least, what she can see of it. The dynast solar's muscular ass is obscuring part of it, and she can hear his moans as Ivory Dawn fellates him with abandon. The angle is bad, but Scarlet can see part of Cunning Starfire's...cock? How did that happen? Scarlet shakes her head and looks again. Yes, the lunar had somehow grown a male member, a huge, jutting tool that must be close to splitting the poor Dancer in half, especially when combined with the pressure of Tor underneath her.

As Scarlet watches, Cunning Starfire slams her hips forward and she can see Ivory Dawn's eyes widen, though whether in pain or pleasure she can't tell. The lunar drags the Dancer back and upward, temporarily removing her from Gunesh and possibly Tor. The lunar whispers something in Dawn's ear as she savages the pale woman's ass, her fingers digging into the Dancer's body in what had to be a painful way.

"Starfire, don't be so rough! You'll hurt her and this is supposed to be fun for us all, right?" Tor cries, and Scarlet's eyes narrow. The lunar had already gotten under her skin, and Ivory Dawn was so beautiful and kind. If Cunning Starfire hurt her...Scarlet's eyes flicker right, to where she'd left her blades, then back to the gangbang, judging distance and time.

 

[HookerBoots]

There was a moment, and Ivory Dawn couldn't lie to herself about it, not then, not later, of complete panic when Cunning Starfire grabbed her and pulled her back so roughly. The hard fingers pressing into her breasts hurt, and while in the middle of her orgasm, it only heightened the pleasure, it was also purely terrifying. The power, the possessiveness in the gesture and the force with which the Lunar made it was . . . Ivory Dawn could feel her heart beating like a frightened bird's wings in her ribcage for a moment.

Then those words, whispered in a panting growl that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up, as the stunning woman flooded her insides with jizz. The fear had ebbed - she'd had plenty of men do similar things to her in the middle of sex that the panic didn't last long, even if it had been a long time since someone had actually been able to hurt her - but the words themselves were terrifying in how compelling they were. She could almost see herself on hands and knees, begging for more of Cunning Starfire's panther-cock, knowing that she was being used as a breeder.

It took an effort of will to control herself, keep herself from shivering as Tor spoke to his mate. She didn't want the other woman to have proof of her fear, especially now that she could sense the coiled tension in those iron-hard muscles against her back and sides. Tor's resistance to what Cunning Starfire was doing to her had made the dark-skinned woman furious, she could feel it against her, almost baking off of the woman.

But it was a relief when Ivory Dawn was released, half-falling forward onto Tor's chest. There was a terrible compulsion to Cunning Starfire's words, and as Ivory Dawn wrapped her lips around Gunesh's cock, she could still feel them echoing in her head. But the other two kept fucking her as well, taking the Lunar's acquiescence and Ivory Dawn's lack of complaint to mean that everything was fine. And it was - gods, their cocks felt amazing! And the loads of cum inside of her made her feel intensely sexy; more would only help.

As Gunesh gasped from her hand on his balls, Ivory Dawn sucked very hard on his shaft, coaxing him to fill her mouth with his seed as well. With a grunting moan, the former Dynast released, his hips thrusting into her mouth arhythmically as his cock spurted his cum down her throat. She swallowed with every spurt, taking all of it into her stomach, letting the others see her throat working as she drank down every drop of his seed.

When he finished, the inventor groaned and stepped back slightly, his now-softening cock sliding out of Ivory Dawn's mouth with a pop. Underneath her, Tor looked up, his eyes lost in a glaze of amazed lust at what she'd just done. Licking her lips, Ivory Dawn grinned down at him, working her hips around Tor's cock and Cunning Starfire's softening member as well - she had the idea that the Lunar would insist on being the last to pull out. "Please, Tor," the copper-haired dancer whispered, leaning forward again to press her breasts against his chest, "give me your cum again. I want to feel you explode in my pussy, fill me up again."

Those words, by all the stars, those words! And her tone of voice was sensual and pleading, just enough to appeal to his ego. "Anything you want," he managed, his hands holding her hips steady as he fucked up into her body over and over, faster and faster. The contact was good, incredibly good, and it wasn't long before Ivory Dawn came again, her body twitching over his, falling forward to lay against him as she writhed and moaned, feeling her cunt clutch at him again.

When she came, he couldn't handle it a second time. It felt too good, so hot and wet, grabbing at his dick, practically begging for his seed . . . Tor let out a strangled bellow, thrusting up into her again and staying as his cock pumped her quivering cunt full of jizz a second time. She felt like heaven around him, taking his seed like it was the best thing she'd ever felt, and he loved it, loved all of them for a shining moment.

And it stayed that way for a few minutes, as everyone caught their breath, rested their muscles. Finally, Ivory Dawn pushed herself slightly upright, eyes dreamy and half-closed. "That," she said softly, "was the best high I've ever had." Looking behind her at Cunning Starfire, the dancer smiled a little. "It was a great idea, my Lady. But I'm afraid that it's late, and Tor still needs to rest."

 

[Armphid]

Tor lay beneath Ivory Dawn as she sat up and started to speak; his chest still rising and falling rapidly though his breath was even and strong. Gunesh had moved just after the end of their little orgy; going to the kitchen and returning with a few scraps of cloth, some dry and some wet.

How the world had changed in the time they'd been...doing that. He had never imagined he'd have anything like that in his whole life. Gods, he'd be thinking about it for years probably. But there were some other things that had happened too. He'd upset Cunning Starfire somehow though she was no longer showing it and Ivory Dawn...well, maybe it was just from the exertion.

Gunesh was using a cloth to clean his cock, handing the others out, "As do we all after that, I think." He was smiling and his tone was as dry as ever but his mind was turning over all that he had observed now that his pleasure had retreated. "Clean up my friends and I'll arrange the bedding. Ah, any requests on how you'd like it?" He was all for one large mass but they might partner up.

Cunning Starfire rose slowly, lifting Ivory Dawn with her at first until Tor's cock slipped out of her, a mixture of her juices and his own cum splattering down on the youth's stomach. Then she pulled her own softening cock out of the young woman before setting her down on Tor. "The boy should have his own bed, yes? So his wounds don't get jarred in the night." She sniffed and licked her lips, "In fact, since he's in such a state, I should make sure his bleeding hasn't drawn anything to us." She made a dismissive gesture as she turned and stalked out of the room, "Set yourselves up, I'll slip in with who I wish later."

Tor blinked as he sat up on his elbows. What was that about? He'd assumed that she'd sleep with him, as she had since they'd met. What was she angry about?

Gunesh's factoring that little scene into his thoughts was prevented by the Twilight glancing up to see Scarlet on the staircase. With trails of drying blood clearly visible on her pale face. His eyes went wide and then narrowed dangerously.

Tor saw the direction of his gaze and turned to see Scarlet as well, blinking and blushing deeply, using the cloth he'd been cleaning himself with to try and cover his body before he noticed the blood as well. "Scarlet, are you all right?" She didn't look hurt but what was that blood about? He rolled over and to his feet with a wince, "Did something happen?"

The Dynast moved very carefully to position himself between the girl and her mournful daiklaives. "Yes, why don't you tell us about what happened?" Then he called out, "Tri! Can you hear me?"

As the last words left his mouth, the gorgeous blond appeared at the top of the steps, crouching to look down at them, "I hear you." The others stared as they could clearly see trails of blood coming down from the makeshift bandage on her neck, vanishing beneath her hastily pulled on tabard. "And I see you've all been having fun," she smiled. "Next time we'll all have to play together." Her eyes met those of the artificer, "Gun, I'm fine." He flushed a bit at her use of what was obviously a pet name. "We'll tell you about it tomorrow, for now, we just need to clean up. It's okay."

She then sat down on the top step and gave Scarlet a wan smile and a wave, "Go on, dear. I'll wait here for you."

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet shifts her weight as Gunesh speaks. His tone is accusing, and his position means she'll have to go around him to get to her blades. This could get bad. Tensions are rising and Scarlet is about half a second from letting her fangs and wings loose and trying for her blades anyway, and Gunesh be damned. Then she hears Tri speak from above her, and everyone relaxes a bit. Scarlet turns to look up at Tri, who flicks her fingers and tells her to go on. Scarlet nods and turns, heading down the stairs. Moving slowly and carefully so as not to startle anyone, Scarlet walks over to where the water buckets are set. Taking a cupped hand, Scarlet dips it into a bucket and begins washing the blood off her face and neck. The water is cold, and Scarlet's nipples tighten reflexively.

Soon though, she's done and she turns back to where Ivory Dawn is lying next to Tor, both of them cleaning up with the cloths Gunesh brought. She stops just out of arm's reach and drops down, sitting on her haunches. Tor and Dawn don't shy away, but there's something in their eyes after seeing her with Tri's blood marring her elfin features. Looking around and then back to Tri, Scarlet calls out just loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Tri, dear, change of plans. For everyone's peace of mind, I think I'll let Ivory Dawn take my place in your bed if that's alright." She glances around. "I'll sleep down here with my blades. If Starfire is right about Tor's blood drawing something in, I want to be ready." She doesn't add that security isn't the peace of mind she's talking about. Scarlet just doesn't want anyone to worry about her harming Tri. Again.

Scarlet turns to Ivory Dawn, taking in the slightly stunned look in her eyes and the red marks on her breasts. Coupled with what she'd seen earlier, Scarlet is suddenly concerned. In a voice just above a whisper, she asks Ivory Dawn, "Milady, are you alright? You look...unwell."

 

[HookerBoots]

Giving the red-haired girl a bolstering smile, Ivory Dawn straightens up, stretching a little. "I'm fine, thank you very much, Scarlet. Just a little startled at how the evening seems to have happened, that's all." She'd talk with the others about Cunning Starfire's words and the strange way she'd felt when it happened, but this wasn't the time. Whatever had happened between Scarlet and Tri could wait til morning as well, since what they all needed now was rest.

Still bare as the day she was born, Ivory Dawn reaches one hand down and tugs lightly, pulling Scarlet to her feet. "I have a solution to the problem, if everyone finds it amenable." She smiles brightly, despite the ache in her breasts. "What if we all - Scarlet and Tri included - share our bedrolls tonight? After I see to Tri's neck, of course." She looks around at the others, her gaze lingering meaningfully on Gunesh. "That way, even if something dangerous did manage to find its way in, we'll all be there to keep each other safe."

Gunesh opened his mouth, most likely to protest, but as he started to, Tri took another step down the stairs. "That," she said, "sounds like a great idea." Her eyes flickered to Scarlet. "It seems a damned shame to waste that bed, but we are here for a few more days." The blond turned on her heel. "I'll get my bedroll and set it up."

"Oh, no, you won't." Gunesh had put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You let Ivory Dawn take a look at those wounds, I'll get your bedroll." He looked at the daiklaives, then at Scarlet. "And Scarlet's, as well."

Ivory Dawn had walked over to where her packs were, pulling out vials and packets of herbs and bandages. "It's just as well that mine never made it upstairs, isn't it?" she asked rhetorically, her voice a little piqued. "Come on, Tri, the sooner I look them over, the sooner we'll be able to sleep." With a professionalism that almost seemed out of place for a naked woman in a dilapidated farmhouse, she stood and looked at the room critically. "Tor, arrange the bedrolls over near the fire, please? Heads toward the warmth, if you would."

As Tri came over and sat down on the stool that Ivory Dawn indicated, the copper-haired woman looked at her critically. "Take the bandage off, Tri, let me see how bad it is." Her fingers are working with a piece of cloth dampened with the water, rubbing a salve into it that smells of herbs and bitter tea. "We'll talk about it tomorrow," she said softly, as Tri peeled the bandage off of her neck.

"Yes," the petite blond said softly, studying the livid marks on Ivory Dawn's breasts. "Yes, we will."

 

[Kinkerhell]

As Ivory Dawn begins to work on Tri, Scarlet moves to where she left her clothing and gear. She drapes her silks over her left arm, slips her feet into her shoes, and slings her sword belt over her shoulder. She turns to look back at the rest of the exalts present, envying them their warmth and light. She smiles, perhaps a little sadly. She can't stay. They're afraid of her, or at least worried.

So is she.

She begins to speak, stops, starts again, stops again. Then she begins walking toward the back door. She reaches it, turns back, and says, "goodnight, everyone." She wants to add more, but what? She looks to Tri and says once more, "I'm sorry." She lets her gaze float over the circle and says, "Yell if you need me." Then she walks out through the back door.

Its still raining, but the cloak has a hood, so the water doesn't bother her. She heads for the small building out back, pulls the door open, and steps inside, closing the rickety door behind her. The inside is bare, just an eight by eight foot room, no tools, no ornaments. There is a faint animal smell, but it is old, faded. Scarlet realizes that it was probably a henhouse at some point. Now, its just an empty room, one more faded remnant of a family long gone.

No matter. It will serve. Scarlet drops her blades and kicks off her shoes, then folds her silks several times, into a small, thick square. Setting it down, she sinks to the floor, wrapping herself in her borrowed cloak, and sets her head on the folded silks, using them as a pillow. The floor is hard, but the cloak is thick and soft, and soon she is curled into a little ball, listening to the rain and waiting for sleep to take her.

 

[Armphid]

Tor's face was still faintly scarlet as he arranged the bedrolls and blankets as requested. He'd tugged his borrowed pants back on though they were doing little to conceal that, thanks to the charming way the cloak Scarlet wore kept opening in the front and Ivory Dawn's almost insistent nudity, he was hard again.

He looked up as Scarlet's low and melodious voice flitted through the room to see the sorrowful and frightening girl looking at them all; her now dry clothes draped over an arm and the cloak pulled about her. Tor stood as she walked out of the room and then the kitchen beyond and out of the house.

Tor frowned, feeling torn. He wanted to go after her and tell her that she should come back and be with them. She didn't have to be alone. But there was still no explanation of what had happened upstairs and how or why Triumphant Mantis was hurt. Maybe it was best if she...he shook his head. He wasn't going to accept that.

He started to walk after her, "Tor, wait." Tri sighed, lowering her hand. Her head was tilted to one side as Ivory Dawn finished inspecting the puncture wounds on her neck and was rebandaging them with a far more expert touch. "She wants to be alone right now. It's all right."

The brawny former peasant rolled his shoulders; his eyes still on the back door. "The hell it is."

Gunesh shook his head, "Look, this is what she wants. She could have stayed if she wanted to. Let her go for now; if you don't like it, talk to her about it tomorrow." One of many talks that would need to take place.

Tor sighed. His back ached now; it hadn't before. Or at least he hadn't noticed it. "For now," he answered after a few moments. He shook his head and walked over to the corner where his magnificent weapon was leaning against the wall and took it in his hands. Feeling Scarlet's hopes and dreams, her heart singing through him, he lay himself down on the pile of blankets closest to the kitchen, setting the weapon beside him.

Tri sighed as well. She'd really wanted this to be a nice little trust building thing, them all sleeping in the same room. Ivory Dawn's idea had been brilliant. Now, however, it seemed like there was more tension between everyone than there had been when they were total strangers.

The Sun's priestess smiled at Ivory Dawn as she finished her work, leaning in and kissing her softly. "Thank you, and I'm sorry. I didn't expect...well, any of this to happen this way." She rose and stripped off her remaining clothing, "Maybe you and Gunesh will join me again? I'd rather not sleep alone tonight."

~~~~~~~~~~​

Tor drifted into a doze as the others spoke and settled in. He'd intended to wait for Cunning Starfire to come back or until everyone else was asleep and then at least take a blanket out to Scarlet.

The room was mostly dark when he came fully back to things; a faint ruddy glow coming from the coals of the fire. Tor stirred and sat up, blinking in the dim light. No sign of Cunning Starfire. He rose as quietly as he could; putting another small log on the fire before slipping on his borrowed tunic and throwing one of the blankets he'd been using over his shoulder.

With the scythe in his right hand, and the blanket cradled to him by his left, Tor went outside as silently as he could muster. The rain still fell but it was much less now. Ivory Dawn probably wouldn't be pleased that he'd gone out in it wounded without a cloak but...a little cold rain wouldn't hurt him.

He looked at the out buildings; the barn, the storage/bath house, and a little shack that was probably where the chickens had been. Which one did she go to?

 

[Kinkerhell]

Colors. Light. Pain. Voices. Strange music...

Scarlet awoke with a small, strangled cry, lashing out at the phantoms that had haunted her dreams since her Exaltation. Always she fought them and, as always, she failed. It took her a moment to realize where she was, even who she was. Looking down at herself she realized that she was in a crouch, stark naked with her shoulders pressed against the back wall of the henhouse. The rough old wood is cold and scratches at her soft skin, and her metal tattoos click against the heads of old nails in the wall.

Scarlet's daiklave, Lament, dips down to the floor, the point scarring the soft wood of the floor. It isn't until she feels the black blade hit the planks that she realizes she's even holding the sword, such a natural extension of her body it has become. Startled, she drops it. The ugly black steel clatters loudly against the floor and follows it down, the wall leaving splinters and scrapes on her back.

Her bare backside touches the cold, rough floor but she barely even notices. Now that the nightmare is passed, she can barely remember it, except for shattered fragments, sensations and colors and voices and much, much pain. That's the worst part. Normal nightmares don't hurt, but these...Scarlet isn't safe from the pain even in her dreams. She's slowly making a friend of it, starting to accept the pain, but her work flies out the window when she gets the nightmares, reducing her once again to nothing more than a frightened vulnerable girl.

Sitting against the wall, Scarlet draws her knees up to her chin and wraps her arms around them. Hanging her head, her straight crimson tresses flowing onto her shoulders, Scarlet begins to cry, the tears hot and heavy and her small frame wracked by great, silent, shuddering sobs.

 

[Armphid]

Tor has walked past the hen house when he heard a strangled, startled cry inside the small wooden structure, followed by movement. He moved to the door, his bare feet starting to feel chill and cold on the wet, dead grass of the farmstead. He made no attempt to hide his approach; he didn't want to sneak up on Scarlet or Cunning Starfire if they were in there and get shanked for his trouble.

He twisted the scythe haft in his hand and lifted it to rap firmly with the butt of the powerful weapon; looking shamefaced as the force shook the whole shack and almost knocked the door off. "Scarlet? It's Tor, um, are you all right? I'm coming in."

He really hoped it was her and not something lying in wait to ambush him.

Tor opened the door and stepped inside, immediately spotting the slender girl against the wall opposite him. His green jade eyes are wide as he sees her shoulders shaking and though she makes no sound, each silent sob seemed louder than the earlier thunderclaps. His heart seemed to swell in his chest, aching with answering sorrow to her pain.

He was at her side before he considered that she might not want him to see her this way. That she might prefer it if he just left the blanket and gave no hint that he had seen her weeping. The thought occurred after he'd pushed his scythe aside; the blade stabbing through the house to protrude out through the wall, as he was draping the blanket around her, putting his arms about her as he did so and kneeling down. He'd comforted his sister like this before, but while he felt a similar protectiveness, the affection that went with it was far from familial. "Scarlet, it's all right. You're safe, and, you're here, with me."

It might not be wise, but he pulled her slender form more fully to him. "I didn't want you to go before, and I'm sorry if it hurt you that I didn't say anything. But you don't have to stay out here all alone. Or if you want, I'll stay here too."

He wasn't sure what else to say at that point. Tor rested his head against hers for a moment. Even if she didn't want him to stay, he'd be here until she wasn't crying or she told him to go. But until she told him otherwise, he would offer her what comfort his presence and his care could offer.

 

[Kinkerhell]

For a long moment, Scarlet just lets Tor hold her. The nightmare was particularly bad this time, full of pain and terror, and Tor's simple presence is a great comfort. She leans into his tall, broad body, feeling the warmth of him on her cold, bare skin, listening to the faint rasp of his calluses on her back as he held her, his hot breath tickling the crown of her head. After a few minutes, the sobbing subsides, and she feels him relax. She sniffles and wipes her eyes.

There's a rapid chittering next to her, and she looks over to see some small rodent, probably eyeing her cloak as a bedroll. She swats at it, but it scrabbles out of the way with another squeak. Scarlet shrugs slightly and looks up at Tor, still pressed against him. "My hero." She whispers. She buries her face in his chest again, savoring the feeling, before gently disentangling herself and sitting up.

"I'm sorry, Tor." He looks slightly confused, and Scarlet explains quietly, "That you had to see me like this." She shrugs halfheartedly. "I get...nightmares, about my time with the Fae. They're scary and painful, and I'm glad you came, but I'm still sorry." She gestures at him and says, "You're hurt and you're tired and you don't need my problems right now." She stops and stares at him for a moment, looking into his warm, kind eyes. Impulsively, she leans in and kisses him. Its a soft, tender kiss, her lips barely more than brushing his, then pulling back. Scarlet blushes and brushes a lock of hair over her ear, then smiles, a small, happy thing that lights up her entire face.

"Thank you." She says simply. She hears the angry chittering of the rodent again, behind her. She ignores it and takes Tor's hand. "You're-" she breaks off as Tor's eyes widen. At the same time, she hears the chitter grow deeper and more rhythmic, becoming mocking, sardonic laughter. Scarlet turns, her hands gliding for her blades. Both are to hand, and she holds them ready as she comes up into a crouch, only to behold the form of Cunning Starfire, giving her a most unpleasant look.

 

[Armphid]

Tor wasn't sure why but Scarlet's kiss and smile made him feel lighter, somehow. There was a rosy blush on his cheeks that deepened as her small, soft hand took his.

But then something caught his eye; the mouse that had been shooed away was swelling and it's form changing. Grey fur vanished into rapidly darkening skin that became a familiar chocolate tone, cut through with wild moonsilver swirls and lines, the form becoming vaguely humanoid and then fully so, until Cunning Starfire's striking nude form stood in the shack. Her lips were curled back from her teeth in an expression that was part smile, part snarl, and all unfriendly.

The youth felt a sudden sense of impending doom, as well as a peculiar itch between his shoulder blades.

Cunning Starfire's breasts jiggled slightly as she finished her dark, mocking laughter. "Poor little Scarlet Star." She tilted her head to one side and raised a brow, "Not trying to scare us with shadows now, I see. Did you scare yourself?"

Tor felt a flash of irritation and moved forward, though he did not release Scarlet's hand. "After what she's endured, she's entitled to some nightmares, and comfort from them. And after what she did for us, we should offer it, not tease her."

The Lunar's eyes took in his face and then their joined hands. "I did see you were quick to offer her your comfort, my Tor." There was a slight emphasis on "my" and her tone oozed bitterness, "More quick to come for her than to find me."

He balked and felt a sudden shame, quickly replaced by anger. Tor shook his head, "You've told me before not to follow when you went off on your own, more than once on our way here." He held up his right hand and the moonsilver ring on his finger gleamed faintly, "And if you were in trouble or needed me, I'd feel this and I'd come running. You should know that about me by now."

The Lunar's red hair seemed slightly spikier and puffier, almost like an irritated cat's fur. "Perhaps that will be the only way you feel me for a time," she snapped. Then she sniffed, "But, fine, I understand. The strong desire to protect and comfort the weak. Which led me to you, boy, and you to her, I suppose." She flexed her fingers as though they ended in claws rather than fingernails, "Now that you're done with her...come back to the house with me, Tor. She wanted to be alone, yes? You shouldn't intrude on a...lady in private."

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet scoffs at that, an incongruously snooty sound from a naked waif. She fixes Cunning Starfire with a venomous look, smiles sweetly, and says in honeyed tones, "No, its quite alright. He can stay." She lays her left blade down and reaches out, patting Tor's hand. Cunning Starfire looks amused, but her expression begins to metamorphose into something ugly as Scarlet continues.

"Besides," Scarlet says, "What claim do you have on him? He's not some pup to command as you do." She turns to Tor. "You don't have to listen to her, you know. She's your mate, and I respect that, but she's also a controlling, vicious bitch. If she were secure in her relationship with you, she'd ask, not command." She glances back at Cunning Starfire and adds, "Or threaten." Scarlet picks her blade up and stands carefully.

"You command, you threaten, you mock those who have only tried to help you. You hurt Ivory Dawn, and she won't even talk about it." At Tor's inquisitive look, Scarlet says, "The marks on Dawn's breasts? Your mate did that." She turns back to the Lunar. "You hurt her and you scared her, and now you come out to mock and harrow an eighteen year old girl, naked, tired, drained from fighting for your mate when you would not. Oh, how very brave and noble you are."

Scarlet rolls her wrists and lifts her blades. "Even as weak as I am, I'll fight you, because you're a brass-plated bitch and you don't deserve him!"

 

[Armphid]

Tor wasn't exactly sure what was happening or how this had gotten out of hand so quickly. However, it clearly was so. He wanted to speak, to say something to halt the hostility that seemed to have exploded between the two women but he didn't even know where to start.

And he really wished they'd both put some clothes on, that wasn't helping his focus any.

Cunning Starfire spat, "Deserve him? No, I do not deserve him." She seemed almost to have swelled and her eyes were more cat-like, her hair raised like hackles, and her teeth were suddenly sharp, vicious, and gleamed like polished silver, as did her now claw-like fingernails. "A callow, ignorant boy just come into his power, no. I deserve a warlord; a mighty champion for a mate! Someone to lead my people in battle and lay waste to the raksha as easily as breathing, that is who I should have!"

She took a deep breath and calmed herself, "And I will make him into that, if he is not distracted by fools. Like you, little girl, you knows so much and is not even two decades old! I have survived in this world for a hundred and seventy three years, child. Do not presume you know anything about me."

"I have earned my place and my station, little monster child, with blood, struggle, and toil. I lured Lord Turiel to his death against the forces of the Realm, I tore the head off of Lady Spethriel in her own bedchamber! What have you done?" She snapped her fingers and then snorted, "And him; what would he have done if I had done his fighting for him? Would his grand gesture that has your heart fluttering have happened if I had stepped in?" She made a disgusted yowl deep in her throat, "I do not coddle anyone; I make them stronger, if they stay weak, they will die. I have seen it before."

The Lunar shook her head, "You are a child, and a stupid one at that. I should beat you senseless for your insult. But cubs make mistakes." Not today but soon. This one had worn out any value Cunning Starfire's curiosity had given her. She needed to go away, but in such a way as to not lose Tor. "Sometimes deadly ones. But not this time."

She turned and kicked the door to the henhouse off of the small structure, stepping out into the rain. "You keep pulling those swords on people, and someone will make you eat them. Tor...be very careful. She bites." Then she turned around and stalked into the rain before vanishing back into the house.

Tor suddenly exhaled, only now realizing he'd been holding his breath. Gods, he was sure she was going to attack Scarlet. He'd have gotten between them, and if likely would have ended him to do so, but...he still didn't understand why this had happened.

"Scarlet." Tor bowed his head, "I'm sorry about her behavior. We are...mated, but I don't know her well. Only for about seven days, actually." He shook his head, "And all this confuses the hell out of me. But what she said, I don't think you're a monster and I'm not afraid to stay out here with you. Uh, if you want me to."

Though the lack of a door would make it a cold night at best. "Umm, we could move to another building, if you'd like. This one's gotten...drafty."

 

[HookerBoots]

The door to the house crashed open, but Tri and Gunesh barely stirred. Ivory Dawn almost jumped up, reaching for one of her weapons, but managed to stop herself just in time. Whatever was happening, it would be better if she didn't act awake until she needed to - the element of surprise was a great advantage.

She'd been vaguely aware of when Tor left, as she'd suspected he would. He and Scarlet had a bond, because of that scythe, and if she hadn't had to make sure that Tri actually laid down and slept, she might have gone with him. The crashing door made her think for a moment that he was coming back.

It was a small surprise to see Cunning Starfire stalk in, slamming the door shut behind herself. The shape-shifter looked angry, incredibly so, and Ivory Dawn was sort of glad that she was feigning sleep. That expression was cold and fiercely angry, her eyes seemingly turned inward and calculating.

Tri stirred a little, rolling over onto her side and throwing an arm across Gunesh's chest. The motion caught Cunnin gStarfire's eye, and she stalked over to where they all lay. Ivory Dawn could feel the weight of her presence, the weighing of her eyes and attention on them all. Then there was a sigh, and the dark-skinned Lunar walked over to where her things were, pulling out a pile of furs. She arranged them near the others, but not next to, and curled up on them, her eyes still shining in the fire-lit darkness.

It took Ivory Dawn a while to fall back asleep.

 

[Kinkerhell]

Scarlet nods at Tor's words. "We should probably go back inside. I'll make it work. I don't want to be back here alone if she comes back." She smiles slightly. "I'd hate to have to kill her." Her smile drops away and she looks at Tor appraisingly. He's obviously trying to put on a brave face, but his expression is shifting like quicksilver between fear, sadness, bewilderment, and a little anger.

"Tor, honey, I'm sorry you had to see that." She says sincerely. She doesn't like crushing someone else's dreams, but he needed to see what Cunning Starfire was like. Still, he's so new at this, and he'd just found her, a beautiful woman claiming to be his mate. It has to be hard for the poor young man, and Scarlet's heart goes out to the noble Solar.

Scarlet presses on "I know you care about her, and I respect you for it. You're a good man, and she doesn't deserve you. No matter what she says about you, know that you're a hero. You're strong, powerful, noble, and kind, and she should support that, not tell you how to live." Scarlet takes Tor's hand in between her own and rises up on tiptoe to kiss him lightly on the cheek.

When she lowers herself, she says, "Just...be careful, ok? If not for me, then for yourself. I'm not sure she's entirely stable, and she hurt poor Ivory Dawn for no reason whatsoever. I don't want to see any of you get hurt. Especially you, Tor, and especially on my account. Just watch yourself, ok?"

Releasing his hand, Scarlet jerks her head at the house and says, "Don't say anything, there's no need. Just think on what I said. Now come on, its cold out here." Scarlet turns, picks up her gear, and walks across the yard to the house. She opens the door slowly and quietly and, once inside, moves a large chair over to where Ivory Dawn is sleeping. She glances neutrally at Cunning Starfire and turns the chair to face the supine Lunar, and drops gracefully into the seat. She lays her blades across the arms of the chair and pulls her hood up, settling back. If Cunning Starfire was to make a move against the pretty dancer tonight, Scarlet would cut her off at the knees. Scarlet smiles in the depths of her hood, and her topaz eyes glimmer gently in the darkness.

 

[Armphid]

Tor heeded Scarlet's words and didn't speak. He honestly wouldn't have known what he would have said. He felt...he didn't even know what he felt. About a million things at once. But over all of it was confusion. He didn't understand why either woman had said the things she had.

But he also felt certain that they both meant them. And that...he wasn't sure what to think of that either. Cunning Starfire's description of him had made him angry and also ashamed because she was right. He wasn't strong enough, he wasn't powerful. Scarlet had had to save him earlier and had given up a piece of herself to arm him. That was how weak he was. It stung but she wasn't wrong.

Tor watched Scarlet settle herself in the chair; his mind still working and turning over what had happened. She'd kissed him and it had felt...different, somehow. And she had nothing but praise for him. Yet what had he done that was praise-worthy? He'd beaten a single foe; she felled four. He had failed.

And now there was this sudden anger and hate boiling out of Cunning Starfire. It was not something he'd seen in her before. But what did it mean? She'd been goaded and Scarlet said he needed to see what the dark skinned beauty was really like. And perhaps that was a real side to her. But did that mean that the side that had found him in the wilderness and comforted him wasn't real?

It was too much for him. Tor turned away from the group and walked back into the kitchen, setting his new scythe by the backdoor and then sitting down on the floor, leaning against a wall and letting his legs stretch out. With all this to think of, he wasn't sure he could ever get to sleep.

He was softly snoring not even five minutes later.

~~~~~~~~~​

Tor grimaced as a strange object was dropped into his lap. "It's very kind of you but it's not needed. I can work; I've done farm work my whole life."

Gunesh shook his head, "Kid, last time I saw a guy get his back laid open like that, they went down and stayed down. Ivory Dawn says you need to rest; you're resting." He gestured at the item he'd tossed to the young man, "You can still work and help us out; just with your head."

Tor picked the item up; stout leather binding and covers and in between pages of finely pressed and made paper. He opened up the first book he'd ever held and stared at the pages. "How will this help anyone?"

The artificer tapped his head, "When we met, I remembered something from when you and I were different people. The you back then was leading an army and it was...a sight to see. I think if you learn how to command, how to fight in a group, manage an army, that'd make you a pretty useful person to have around."

Triumphant Mantis eyed the pair as Gunesh waved and walked away. The blond had been ordered to rest for the day as well. She also had caught the helpless expression on the youth's face as he watched the Dynast go and then started to flip through the pages with a frustrated expression. She rose and moved over to kneel next to him. "What do you have, Tor?"

He looked up with a flush. "Um, a book. I don't really know that...I mean, I should be doing something else."

"Tor," she touched his forearm and stilled him. "Can you tell me what the title of the book is?" He looked down and away, his face reddening deeply. "Sweetie, you don't know how to read, do you?" He didn't answer though his blush deepened even more.

Tri smiled and sat down beside him, "You probably didn't have a chance before. Don't be embarrassed, honey. If it's all right, I'll teach you." Tor looked back at her with grateful eyes and nodded. She beamed, "All right. So." She took the book and flipped over to the front cover, "This is the "Thousand Correct Actions of the Upright Soldier," Tor." As she said each word, her finger tapped the character for it.

"This means "thousand" so...if I put a number in front of it, that would change the value?" Tor looked over at Tri hesitantly.

She beamed, "It does. Let me get some things and I'll show you the numbers and we'll start from there." Tri stood up and looked down with him, winking, "If you do well, you might get a reward from your teacher."

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Gunesh tapped a finger against his chin, leaning against the outside of the house. Tri and Scarlet stood in front of him, one of the holy woman's arms around the girl's shoulders. "I'll want to look at some other sources, and maybe think about it some more. But I think I can make a guess."

He sighed, "I've only heard of beings with powers like yours in one other place for sure, though there are rumors of others." Gunesh looked down and closed his eyes. "Given the effects we saw yesterday; the broken mirrors, the grass dying, and your story...I'd bet your Essence isn't from Creation. I think it's like ghosts, it's connected to death, maybe even the underworld."

He opened his eyes and looked at the two women again, "Have either of you ever heard of a nation in the Scavenger Lands called Thorns?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

The fire was burning in the hearth again and the windows were dark. Tri and Tor were in a corner, burned sticks scratching on planks of wood. Gunesh was flipping through a few of his books in a chair by the fire; his expression thoughtful as he turned the question of Scarlet and her abilities over in his head.

Cunning Starfire lurked by the front door, her arms crossed under her breasts. She stole a few looks at the rest of the small band as they worked at their various tasks. She sighed after a moment and stood up off the wall to approach Ivory Dawn. "...I was too rough yesterday," she offered from out of nowhere. She shook her head and pushed a lock of hair back behind her ears, "I am sorry for that. If we play again, I will be more careful but I understand if you do not want to do so again."

The proud Lunar bowed her head to Ivory Dawn and then turned away. She noted Tri and Tor watching her and smiled at them. On her way out the door to prowl about, she caught Scarlet's eye and smiled unpleasantly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

The main room of the farmhouse was dark save for the flickering flames and coals of the fire. Tor lay on a pile of blankets, his eyes open and looking at the scythe forged from Scarlet's own hopes and dreams.

It was far more than a weapon, though he could feel it's power in that capacity. Gunesh had taken him aside and told him that the weapon would create a link between whoever held it and Scarlet, as it was made from her. it could possibly even exercise control over her.

Far more than a weapon. It was a sacred trust. One he would never use, he hoped, unless at greatest need. And one he would never, ever violate. He needed a way to keep it safe.

He sat up quietly, Cunning Starfire muttered something unintelligible and rolled over. He took a deep breath and stretched his hand out towards the scythe and willed power into it.