Standard Disclaimer
Alright! The pool cover is off and being worked on meaning swimming is right around the corner! My nephew will be in town for the next few months on an internship should be cool…and I've got good ideas for the next few chapters of my stuff…good days.
X-X
Wandering Pilot
Chapter – 36
Pacing back and forth in her room, her bare feet slapped on the cobblestone and the cold was marvelous, Asuka was pensive. This was not good, far from good, it was one of the worst things she could think of in all reality. Another morning, another bout of sickness and no appetite. At first she didn't think much about it, food sanitation was hardly a concern in this world. A savage world hardly had any care if they let meat go bad before serving it. Two full weeks of it however, Asuka wasn't stupid. Add to the mix her monthly cycle was late…
"And Elina would have noticed if I hadn't…" Asuka looked down at her finger and shuddered. Elina and here shared a cycle, Elina found it cute which meant she paid attention to it. When Asuka came to the grim realization she took her claw and jabbed deeply inside herself to make it bleed. Gods did that hurt, still hurt, but it was a necessity. Picking at her food, she forced it down despite her tender stomach, she had to think. Wiggling into one of her chairs, "I'm pregnant. What do I do about it?" She didn't want to be a mother, especially not in this barbaric land. And how would pregnancy affect her position as the second in command of the Fang?
It wouldn't be good that was for sure, not after failing again to take that bitch Annelotte's head. If the queen also learned she failed to announce Shinji was with Annelotte she'd be killed. Shinji was a topic of non-contention, he was priority number two, just under the removal of the rebels. And Asuka failed to deal with both of them, and she had only herself to blame. She could have targeted Annelotte first, ending the rebellion, and then render Shinji unconscious but she just had to cause him pain instead. "So what do I do now?" she absentmindedly rubbed her belly.
A light rap on her door got Asuka's attention, a familiar head popped in with a slim smile, "You summoned my Lady Soryu?" It was Hillary acting on Asuka's command. The woman had become a pet much akin to how Asuka became Elina's.
"Come in and shut the door," Asuka ordered. Switching from one side of the chair to the other, she gestured to the other chair across from her. They had only spent a little time together, Asuka did have other successful missions since her failure three weeks ago. Had she been present two weeks ago for the siege of the castle things would have been different. Hillary was becoming something of a lovely commodity for the girl, somebody that listened that Asuka could trust. Trust was a very low stock item right now. Uncrossing and re-crossing her legs, "Have a seat, tell me how the infiltration of that keep is progressing?"
Hillary's body went ridged as she started to sit, hands on the armrests as a fear gripped her. Unceremoniously falling into the chair, a plumb of dust showing its disuse, Hillary kept her eyes down on the ground. "We've been ordered back to the castle, all of us. Even your agent you had placed inside to get close to the baron," all servants feared giving bad news, especially to Asuka and Elina. Elina would slit a throat if displeased while Asuka was known to exile.
"Who is the dead woman that ordered that! I spent weeks finding the right woman to send to that bastard fort!" Asuka slammed her fist down and sent her tray of food flying. Meats and cheeses slapped on the ground, she didn't care she'd have a servant clean it up. This was happening more and more often though, her authority was being undermined! Trying to reign in her anger, Hillary was not the cause, Asuka reached out and took the girl's hand. It was warm and inviting…willing… "Not your fault, tell me what happened in detail."
Blushing just a little, Asuka didn't touch others for no reason, Hillary nodded very quickly. Matching Asuka's gaze for a few moments before looking away, "The Iron Strategist." At that single statement Asuka's arm summoned a gauntlet and slammed it into the chair and tore off the armrest. Whimpering and pulling away from Asuka, Hillary's face trembled, "She said she is sending Mirim in to just take it by force."
"Of course it's that fucking dwarf!" Asuka was out of the chair in a flash. In a wave of anger, her belly burning and threatening to spill, she destroyed her chair down to its components. The more she heard of that damned midget the more Asuka wanted to just destroy her! Everything Ymir did resulted in something negative for Asuka. Sweating profusely, covered in dust and feathers, Asuka focused her mind on the rubble and it burst into flames, another lovely mental power she learned. They were draining, but her mental powers were now far beyond Elina's. "When is this happening, when is that damned witch going to ruin my plan?" it was going to be a gift to Elina for failing against Shinji!
Eyes wide with horror, Hillary's nails bit deeply into the soft leather of the fancy chair, "T-tonight. She had me give Mirim the orders personally." Hillary had been part of Asuka's detachment sent to prep the keep for infiltration. Original plan had been simple, get a woman into position by the baron. Once she had him under control, either by force or manipulation, open the gates for more Fang to slide in. Get enough into place the defense would fall without much resistance. It was going to be the first of many! Asuka was going to show the Fang a new way of subterfuge and now it was going to be ruined! "L-Lady Soryu….Asuka…are you alright?" Hillary tentatively asked.
"NO I am NOT alright! All my planning is going to be ruined! All because of that illiterate country girl in her perverted dildo suit! And…and…" oh gods not now! Asuka's stomach rebelled and she felt the urge to expunge rising. Her vision swam, head went fully dizzy as she rushed to the wash basin she had. A few moments later Asuka had a second viewing of her breakfast. Half chewed beef and watery cheese graced her face, and it did not taste any better coming up than it did going down. "And that," Asuka slumped to the ground. Her legs gave out, she hung over the silver bowl she used for all manners of waste. She missed plumbing.
Rushing to Asuka's side, Hillary had pulled back Asuka's luxurious main of hair and kept it clean. "A-are you sick my Lady? Should I summon one of the holy women? With their matron gone though we might have trouble getting them to leave the cathedral," Hillary oozed worry.
"It is worse than sickness, Hillary, and something I must ask," Asuka cleaned herself with a towel next to the bowl. Forcing herself off the ground, Asuka had to go, had to see Mirim in action. When she fought Shinji she hadn't seen Mirim fight Annelotte, and since then she had her own orders and couldn't see the other small skirmishes that ate again and again at Asuka's power. Nobody knew Asuka's little predicament, but she had to ask somebody. Enemies existed, those she supplanted on the rise to second in command, but she'd trust Hillary for now. Dawning her armor, "I have come down with the bane of all women, passed on by men. Do you know a cure for it?" She knew a few she could try, but they were dangerous.
Eyes twinkling with delight for a moment, Hillary's hands went to her face to cup her own cheeks, "You preg…" Now those eyes were wide with fear as Asuka's gloved hand covered her mouth tightly. Jaw forced shut, Hillary nodded her approval to the unspoken request. Whispering once her mouth was free, "I understand your predicament my Lady. I will see if I can get a potion from the alchemists in city proper. It might cost some though to get something without side effects."
After she put her cloak on, Asuka pulled her hair out from under it. Grabbing some of the gold she had piling up, she handed it over to her personal servant, "Take this and get it for me. I'm going to see this battle in person and want it here by the time I get back. And keep this a secret Hillary, only you and I know of this, and I want to keep it that way." Asuka wanted to trust this woman, wanted to have a true friend here she could confide in! But it was hard to do, everybody else in this castle had an angle they played, a hidden objective. Looking at Hillary, Asuka got such familiar sense of Hikari from this girl it was painful.
The hero worship was just flowing out of Hillary as Asuka cupped her cheek, her eyes closed and she lined her lower jaw in just a smidge. Women in this world were very open to affection, not surprising but a little off putting for Asuka. Elina had opened Asuka's eyes to the joys and pains of curiosity. Rather than risk losing that friend, being truly alone in this den of liars, Asuka kissed the girl half on the lips. There wasn't a lot of emotion on Asuka's side of things, just a pressing of flesh to keep one of the few lights lit. Elina was gone on mission, and aside of those two Asuka was alone to stew. She had not been with a man since the one that attacked her and her morning sickness started. Just her alone with her anger and worry.
Walking down the halls, the Fang all saluting her as she walked…but far fewer than before. Ymir was causing things to shift in the castle. With each success of that timid 'Valkyrie' the more the queen shifted from subterfuge to straight up offensive. Why be subversive when all you needed was one invincible girl! Power was being stripped from her! Elina was immune to this struggle, Claudette wouldn't do anything against her own sister, but Asuka was not as safe. How much longer till Asuka found the Fang turning on her for losing their status?
"Lady Soryu, your horse is ready, your orders?" one of her loyal women held over the reins once Asuka got to the stables. A lovely long blonde haired woman, but something was different about her. She wasn't in the Fang's colors but the queen's glaring red.
Vaulting up to the well-used custom saddle she had, she cooed mentally as it rubbed just right. Elina had it made for her, ridge right in the perfect place to ride up against her bud. Leave it to Elina to make a saddle even MORE sexual. "You're out of uniform, Elina-sama would be most upset with you," Asuka stroked her beasts ears and it clomped its monster hooves in the hay.
"New orders," the woman didn't keep eye contact, nobody did anymore, "I've been reassigned to assist in the new offensive to the south." But once Fang, always Fang so even if repositioned it shouldn't mean much. Sharing the odd female love of horses, the woman stroked the beast's long face, "It was a pleasure serving Elina-sama and yourself. If I return, I hope it is to a different dynamic."
Doing a quick look over her assorted gear, Asuka nodded to the woman and gave the reins a quick lash and was off. The horse took off with a flash and she burst out of the stables and into the streets. People dove out of her way as she wasn't going to slow down for them, and they were smart enough to not question or complain. Every so often as she rode, she was sure she saw Shinji in the crowd and nearly stopped only to see another shaggy brown head and she kept riding. To hell with Shinji! To hell with Ayanami! Those idiots deserved each other! And when she brought that bastard back to Claudette…well Asuka bet they'd be needing a new king. Claudette was incapable of human warmth Asuka ventured. The marriage had been force hadn't it? That was Shinji's story…and Asuka hoped to see Claudette and Shinji's reunion!
Thankfully she got out of the capital without issue and was out in the country. She did have to admit Shinji had been right about how beautiful the scenery was, smelled much better too! Wouldn't do that bastard any good though. "When I get my hands on him…" she didn't know. Time and her intellect was a nasty combination, add her pride into it was a dangerous storm. She hadn't been dragged kicking and screaming into this world, he had warned her. But it just wasn't fair! All the good things happened to him, while Asuka had to work for every small blessing she received! "I do want to see those other bitches he's been with," maybe they suffered like she was suffering now!
"I will not be a mother," Asuka savagely quipped as she bounced on her gift. The pleasures of the flesh were still one of the few things she had left. Maybe she was wrong to push Hillary away, but it just wasn't Asuka's way. Elina was different though, Elina was special, and Asuka wouldn't dare refute the spoiled ruler. Time passed slowly as Asuka rode the breadth and width of the land towards the fort she had planned to conquer. Ymir had to have chosen just to spite Asuka, it was so far out of the way. The twin moons were up in the sky by the time Asuka came upon the camp of queen's soldiers.
They showed proper respect, but the glow was missing from them that the Fang had. They feared and respected Asuka, but they didn't like or even want her here. Asking about for the location of the flower child that was Mirim, Asuka saw a fear cross their faces. They actively refused to answer her until Asuka confessed she wasn't on mission…the wanted to protect the insipid girl! They liked that girl?! Why? Why would anybody prefer a mewling peasant over somebody like her! It was just like Shinji all over again! The timid and cowardly was preferred over Asuka's superior stock!
Breaking the defensive line that they had set up, Asuka saw a familiar small body she so wanted to squeeze. "Ymir, why are you here? This was all planned out weeks in advance and we were almost all in position to strike! So why did you chose this place to test your little…toy?" Asuka pointed at the small red dot a hundred yards up the field from them, in between them and the keep.
"Oh you've actually left the castle? I would have thought you'd stay to warm Elina's bed, let her sooth your broken ego. Where you've only accomplished small things, I'm capable of bigger! And I'm here to show that in one night I can capture what you've been plotting for weeks. Mirim, take this place!" Ymir yelled out to her test subject.
Grabbing Ymir by the collar Asuka yanked her off the ground and into the air, yet the girl just smirked. "If you ever lose your protection little 'thing' I will take great pleasure in finding a pedo and feeding you to him!" Asuka just tossed Ymir away from her. Watching Mirim constantly beg the fort to submit as they launched volley after volley of arrows at her only for that shield to deflect them. And when Mirim attacked she cut not just people but whole structures…in twenty minutes the whole fort was in ruins and those not dead were captured…Asuka seethed…the loss was great but it was still a victory! And those gushing red-armor clad women fawned over Mirim begging her to take a bath with them…maybe Asuka would take up her subordinates requests when THEY asked…not jealous…not angry…not queasy.
X-X
He could hear Yuit doing something in the clearing outside of their dilapidated residence, so Shinji debated on going back. It would be more glaring at him and ridicule of Annelotte was around, more of the same. Two weeks of hiding at this little house as they debated where to go next. Annelotte wanted to continue to find places to rescue, but Yuit wasn't finished with trying to save her friend. Luna-Luna was content to go anywhere with her Sage and Knight. Branwen still considered herself Shinji's property and didn't have a voice in the matter, and Shinji just hoped wherever they went he found somebody he missed.
Checking the power levels of all his gear, Shinji looked up at the sun and thanked Ritsuko again for the solar charger. "This would all be worthless if I didn't have this," he trailed his finger over the dark solar collector. Hot to the touch, and oh so useful. Listening to Yuit curse again, she was trying to replicate Mirim's armor and it was starting to get very costly. Grabbing his music player her turned on some classical and laid down in the morning sun, "She's just worried and doing it to keep herself busy." They needed to overcome Mirim's armor not mimic it.
"Hello my little Sage! Here is where you are!" Luna-Luna sang as she vaulted into the small glen Shinji was in. Using the tendrils that hands to speed herself along, Luna-Luna was in her white form so she was all gentle smiles and bliss. Much like a cat she spun around in a small circle before settling down right at Shinji's side and nestled against his arm. Pawing at him with her tendril, "You had me worried. After your fight with the tiny elf last night I thought you might have left." She enveloped Shinji's arm with between her bust as she plucked a tablet off the ground.
Luna-Luna was just so energetic and happy that it ate through Shinji's reservations and fears. An infectious joy, at least while in her pale form, Shinji found her a welcome addition to their little party. "That is one of my tablets, it has a lot of books on it, and that" he pointed at his speaker, "is my collection of music." She released his arm and used her tendril to gently pick up the speaker and drag it over to her. "As for Yuit…she's not happy I'm with Annelotte-san. I'm betting if I wasn't here, she'd be doing the same to you, jealous," Shinji shrugged a little and opened up a collection of art pieces. Handing it over to Luna-Luna he showed her how to flip through the images.
"This truly is magic! So many pretty pictures and such lovely music. Your world is gifted by the gods with creativity!" Luna-Luna's attention was fully absorbed by the sensations around her. Using the tendrils to pick up Shinji, she used others to make them dance about the glen to the music. Tittering heavenly, "I'm so glad I followed you two. My darling Knight and cute Sage, perfect mates for me. Well…assuming we ever get to that part. Say…"
Not the first time he was in the grip of Luna-Luna's tendrils, Shinji was still unnerved by how warm they were. Initially he suspected they would be cool and slick like Echidna's snake but they had the texture of glass and the warmth of flesh. "My world does have a lot of stuff like this…but we've had more time to work in it," Shinji felt Luna-Luna shift him to a laying position.
Gods she was affectionate in this form and darn right sultry in her other darker form. And he'd not lie and say he wasn't getting a little pent up. Day in and day out of beautiful women in very revealing outfits, one he had powerful feelings for, another that kept insinuating her want for some affection, and a woman that acted like property. But Yuit was the cold shower on everybody! Being dangled right before Luna-Luna…her cute face with eyes closed, "As for the other…not a good time…Yui-Yuit…"
Luna-Luna didn't care as she was open so just about anything apparently and she pulled him in closer. Shinji's eyes went wide, this was their first real open mouthed kiss, and she tasted like fruit! Sweet and juicy, and unlike Annelotte she had a wild and unpredictable tongue. Maybe a little too volatile as she had no focus or control, a whirlwind inside his mouth. A loud clang, metal on metal broke the two from their embrace. "W-what was…oh poo I was starting to get into this," Luna-Luna brought Shinji and herself back to the ground. Waiting for Shinji to grab his staff, "Think it's something bad?"
"Maybe it's just Branwen-san and Annelotte-san training? They have mentioned they wanted to spar," Shinji had to take a few deep calming breaths. Such a little touch reminded him of the softer things of life, and of Yuit's never ending demands. Annelotte had to sleep with her at night, she had to keep her 'onii-san' safe. Safe from what? The lone male in the group was the second weakest person! Yuit alone was the only one Shinji could beat if they actually fought. Moving closer to the house they stayed at, it was growing on Shinji in its rustic charm, he felt a tendril around his leg.
Pulling Shinji back behind her, and giving him a lovely view of her barely clad rear, Luna-Luna winked at him. "I'm here to protect you my Sage, having you go first is a bad idea. Let me go ahead," Luna-Luna waggled a finger admonishingly at him. Taking a shot in the pride, Shinji's head sunk and relented. Not like he could stop Luna-Luna if he tried. Those tendrils were elastic to the point of being rubber despite the texture. He didn't want to hit her anyway, she was a growing friend…and that kiss was proof she wanted more.
"Is something wrong?" Annelotte asked as she smashed Grim Venus against Branwen's shield. Sparks flew out widely from the blow as Branwen cringed behind it. Pushing her advance, Annelotte switched the blade to a lance and jabbed three quick times against the shield and broke through, Branwen's arm going wide.
Falling backward a few steps, her arms pin wheeled from the unbalance, Branwen spun out of the forth of Annelotte's jabs. Pushing the purple haired aggressors back, "I…am not fully sure of myself. I have been at the beck and call of that goblin so long…I find my newfound freedom a blessing but something is missing." Reaffirming her grip she panted heavily then saw the pair in the foliage, "Master! You are here? W-why?"
Standing up, no reason to hide now that they knew what it was, Shinji pulled the branches out of Luna-Luna's way. "We heard you two sparring and worried it was an actual attack so we came to help. You two can keep going, Annelotte-san could use a talented partner like you," Shinji smiled softly at them. Annelotte did want to improve and Shinji did NOT offer her any real challenge and Yuit wouldn't dare raise a finger against her onii-chan.
"O-oh ok…I shall prove myself worthy," Branwen reaffirmed her hold and lashed out wildly at Annelotte. But it was overly telegraphed, slow lead up that missed Annelotte by a wide margin. Not to miss an opportunity, Annelotte dodged in close and slammed Grim Venus into Branwen's armpit that supported her shield. Lifted off the ground by the force, Branwen went flying into the air, her sword and shield left her hands but the ball and chain she refused to take off kept her from flying to far. Slamming to the ground with a loud 'oof' she just lay there, "Or…I shall fail you tremendously."
Wincing at the sudden and violent end to the spar, Luna-Luna grabbed Shinji and pulled him close. "I think she lost on purpose so you'd punish her. You haven't used that controller on her right?" Luna-Luna whispered. They all knew the story now, Shinji had been open about the whole thing and thankfully the believed the truth. Shinji did NOT want to purchase Branwen, he wanted to free her. Sadly powerful magics were in play and his powers had no effect of non-curse based magics. Demon magic he could diffuse, human or animal based rendered him moot.
Getting to her knees, Branwen turned to Shinji and her eyes glistened, "I'm sorry ma-Shinji. I have failed beyond even an acceptable matter." They locked eyes for a moment, Shinji marveled at how pretty her duel colored eyes were. Then again all of Branwen was beautiful, her bronze skin, luscious hair, proud yet gentle nature, dedication, and love for her dragon companion made for a truly wonderful woman. One that shouldn't be owned, but was. She then looked at the control device at Shinji's side, she alternated between the two but didn't say a world.
"Y-yes you have, and I guess…guess I need to take action," Shinji felt Luna-Luna's hand on his back. Pulling the control device of his belt, Shinji felt odd with how he found Branwen fighting to keep a smile off her face. She wanted this, Yuit had been right and Branwen was a masochist. Since Shinji hadn't punished her since his face was emblazoned on her thigh she was getting frustrated. "This is probably best done I private. Luna-Luna would you mind heading into town to get some food?" Shinji handed over their coin purse. Annelotte gave him a troubled look, but didn't say anything.
Snuggling her cheek against Shinji's, Luna-Luna nodded, "Why don't we just use those pearls you have? They're the biggest and whitest ones I've ever seen! So pretty too!" She wrapped the coin bag up with a tendril.
Looking into his pouch at Tina's special pearls, Shinji's heart warmed, "Those are special to me. Tiina-chan gave them to me right before she left." And were the symbol of their pairing, he'd never part with them. He hoped Tiina came back soon, he selfishly wanted them all back. Shaking off his funk, he felt Luna-Luna's tendril wrap around his leg and tug before she walked off and grabbed his cloak as she left. Closer and closer she wormed into his good graces. "Annelotte…h-how are you this mor…" Shinji tried to talk to the one closest to him at the moment.
"Onii-chan! I need your help! I want to try making you a set of armor like this…I can't handle the vibration but I know you can!" Yuit called out as she ran behind the house to where they trained. Almost as if she was waiting for the chance to cut Shinji off from her, Yuit ran right up to Annelotte wearing a very revealing set of armor with a heart motif and what could only be seen as a chain sword. "I can modify this armor for you, but I need to get your measurements. I've my tools out already…so lets get started!" she looked at Shinji and Branwen as she dove into Annelotte's side, reason overly clear.
Nodding and patting Yuit's head, she sighed and mouthed 'I'm sorry' to Shinji wordlessly before kneeing closer to Yuit. "Sure I will assist you. That armor truly was a threat we must find a counter to. Branwen thank you for the spar, Shinji we will talk later," she was then dragged off by the hands by Yuit back around the house and out of view.
"That tiny elf truly does not wish for you to speak with her. Had I not seen it I might not have accepted it. But the dancer and you are again always truthful in your words. I apologize for having any doubts," Branwen collected her cracked sword and shield as the ball and chain left a deep indent in the ground. Once she was presentable, Branwen sat on the ball with had bowed, "And I apologize again for failing to offer your beloved a challenge. After you freed Asher, I have shamed you. I offer only myself as repayment."
The tiny device in his hand felt so heavy right now, as Shinji wasn't stupid. She was saying this on purpose, she was goading him into this act of 'punishment'. Gods he have never thought of things like this before, he was Branwen's 'owner' in name only, but he did have to see to her needs. "You only need do this until those links go away, but while one does exist," Shinji pulled back on the leash and gave it a flick.
Cords attached to receivers on Branwen's odd armor and flicked to life as if electrified. Power coursed from his controller to Branwen and her whole body went ridged and her tongue lolled out and eyes rolled up. "Uh…not enough…I still require more…punishment," Branwen panted heavily and her eyes were full of pleading as she locked onto Shinji's. Another flick and another scream of joy, and another…and another…and one final and Branwen let out such a high pitched yelp Shinji didn't even hear it. Falling forward in post climax bliss, Shinji caught her. Whimpering into his ear softly, "I have shamed myself in my needs. How this sickness has befell me I don't fully know, but I find myself needing this as time goes on. Thank you."
"I'll help you through this, Branwen-san, as long as you need it. We don't…don't know each other well, but I'll do my best," Shinji was fully aware of her being so close to him. Her breath was hot and moist and went down his neck and he felt himself go tight. Not a good place to be…not at all. Not appropriate right now, even if the cries she let out were pure audio bliss for him. "How…how about we talk for awhile?" Shinji sat down next to her and kept his hand close.
Nodding softly, her breathing finally coming back under control, "That sounds good. I have…avoided all of you thinking it was an act. That you were just trying to lull me into a false sense of security. But it is not your nature, you are a good man. And I would be honored if you spoke of your companions, and doubly so if you wish to hear of my life." Sliding off the chain, she sat on the ground across from Shinji and let her legs splay wide…did she know what she was showing?
For the next two hours the pair chatted back and forth of their adventures. Shinji spared only the private moments of his times in Gainos that lead him to freeing her from her capture. Branwen did the same after Shinji finished. She went over her childhood, her adoption by the dragon's and her time with Asher, and the failed battle that got both of them captured. Then she went silent for awhile before going into the truth of her time in captivity…and it wasn't pretty. Punishments went far beyond just the odd whip thing Shinji now possessed. At the end…Shinji hugged her close more out of his own sense of amazement over her strength of character to preserver through it all. That's when they heard a very unexpected yelp from Annelotte on the other side of the house, Shinji recognized it quite well from their few moments of personal affection.
Clamoring around to the find them, Shinji nearly fell over when he saw Annelotte wearing Yuit's newly crafted perverse armor and unable to lift the sword. "A-Annelotte-san what are you…why are you?" she was whimpering and mewling as she tried to lift the sword up. Why was she wearing that stupid vibration armor? If she couldn't move, how was it going to help her?
Leaping over both Branwen and Shinji, Luna-Luna cried out "I'm back my Knight! Oh!OH! This is…this is….!" Luna-Luna shifted from white to brown and just cried out as the pair vibrated in obvious unexpected bliss. Well that was unexpected, but Shinji had to fight to look away…oh boy he was going to need to head off and start a new cache of Holy Milk…how embarrassing! After the shame ended, Luna-Luna did drop a little truth bomb…Mirim had just destroyed a fort not to far away from them. Yuit didn't believe it of course, Yuit was just too stubborn Shinji realized, but she did drag leave them alone for the remainder of the day to plan their next move.
X-X
"So how are you handling Luna-Luna?" Annelotte asked as she snuck up on Shinji. Early morning mist clung around his ankles and his cloak looked slick with it, made it cling to him and she noticed. Noticed how his legs curved, the definition of his muscles, and just how pinchable his bum was. Angels why was this such a fixation of hers now!? Before now her sexuality was just something else the sacrificed for her drive to depose the queen. Well she'd have to thank or attack her mentor for putting this man in her midst. Peeking over his shoulder, he was putting his packed up gear in a hiding place, "She's been really clingy with me lately, but nothing to overt." But she did see Luna-Luna flirted with Shinji more.
Dragging a log over the hole is satchel was in, Shinji grunted as he strained to move the log. With Annelotte's help it went a lot faster, and he nodded his appreciation. "Yeah she's been…making her intentions known. She still considers both of us her husband…well husband and co-wife. Last night she even…" Shinji's face went red and he went silent. Oh he didn't have to say, Annelotte had saw Luna-Luna's little body pillow. A little envious, Annelotte hated the fact a small part of her missed the time before Yuit arrived. Kicking some dirt on the log to help mask the hole, "But she just slept next to me, so it's nothing to bad. Tiina had done similar with her being a pillow." But Annelotte would have liked to sleep using Shinji's leg as a pillow as well.
"True, but if we don't say something she'll keep pushing and pushing. Before you know it…" Annelotte rolled her hand over and felt her heat rise. It was only a matter of time before Luna-Luna pulled Shinji and/or herself off for a little slap and tickle. That darker skinned version of her was always pushing that envelope. Hearing a clanking chain, Annelotte spotted a head popping up from behind a bush far away, the communal toilet. Branwen…she didn't know what to make of that woman. "Ah, there you are Branwen. Was meaning to ask if you're alright with today's plan. Yuit really wants to save her friend, but attacking the Iron Strategist's patrol is risky," Annelotte admitted.
Giving her blade a quick spin, it glistened in the obscured morning light, Branwen grabbed some of the leftover food Shinji cooked as she joined them. "If my Master orders my blade be used it shall be so. Far better an order than fighting beasts for the enjoyment of the rich," Branwen sat next to Shinji on the log he had set. It helped make the log look naturally placed, not look placed. Since she heard those sounds the day before, Annelotte saw a subtle change in the bound warrior, was glad Shinji didn't see those changes. The hard edge was gone, the tone not curt with forced acceptance, Branwen was shifting in her opinion of her situation.
Flinching as Annelotte sat on his other side, Shinji drew his legs in closer together. "I told you before Branwen-san, I'm not really your master. We're friends, companions. If you don't want to do this, I'd rather you tell me and you can stay here and watch over the house," Shinji fidgeted just a little. It was so darling how he acted, timid and bashful was quite the rare traits in men. Even though they shared a bed, had such feelings for one another, he was so sweet around her! Annelotte wanted to eat him up, bask in those feelings they shared and…
"Onii-san! Vante and I are ready, even that dancer is good to go. So why are we wasting time here?" Yuit called out. Upon seeing Shinji so close to Annelotte, Yuit ran over to the two and wrapped her arms around Annelotte and tugged. Forcing the woman back up, Yuit possessively hugged almost fearfully. Writing into her controller, Vante glided around the building closer to them. Leaning around Annelotte to address the other two, "You remember the plan? Two roads leave the battle site back to the capital. We take one, you take the other. Whoever finds her first calls the other with those devices of yours. I really do need to take them apart, I could make a much better version."
Getting up along with Branwen, Shinji's helped the woman stand as the consummate gentleman, he nodded. "Once we don't need them I'll let you have them, that alright?" he offered the olive branch.
"That is very kind of you, Shinji, but until we don't have a need you must control yourself Yuit," Annelotte admonished her friend. The pouting face was cute, but Annelotte had to be strong here. Too much lenience was given to the tiny elf, too much spoiling. "Now we've been feed, the base looks deserted, and time is against us. Let us go, and thank you both for aiding us in this," Annelotte forced Yuit to bow her head.
Before Shinji could speak out he yelped and jumped forward and spun around. "You do have such a shapely and tantalizing bum Sage, I couldn't help myself," the dark Luna-Luna licked her finger. Ah the last member of today's little assault force was making herself known. One hand was still flexing just about where Shinji's butt would have been, and she eyed him hungrily. Smacking her lips, it was glistening with the fat of the morning's bacon, "I would like a bit more reward for risking my life for that child's friend. So either one of you will be my partner tonight." Her hips swayed like a clock pendulum as she left the glad.
"Well we better get going, it'll take us longer with Branwen's chain," Shinji looked ready to lean in for a quick pre-game kiss, but Yuit shifted to block him. With no other option, Shinji just nodded and he grabbed his staff and walked off.
Branwen towered over Yuit with a small sneer, "Something seems unbalanced here. But if this is what you want I will not comment. I will keep him safe if we find this Ymir first." Nodding once, Branwen followed after Shinji, only a smidgen slower despite dragging her massive ball and chain with her.
Picking Yuit up, Annelotte deposited her friend up on Vante's shoulders. "Let us see to your friend. If you are sure she can be freed from that armor that is controlling her I will aid you," she smiled softly but her heart was torn. On one side was Yuit who was suffering from emotional blow after blow so Annelotte wanted to aid that. But once Yuit started always getting her way, the girl kept pushing and pushing. But that pushing was the wedge between Annelotte and Shinji so Yuit could fill it. Only Shinji had somebody, well multiple people, to fill the void. In the end who was going to suffer? Annelotte realized it was her, spoiling Yuit like this was just going to end in pain for her as the blossoming love she felt would wither.
"She has to be controlled by it, she's being lied to by that Ymir! You didn't see what I did…didn't see her burn Mirim's letter. We have to make her see the light. Let's go…those two will be fine," Yuit ordered Vante to go and it growled out happily. Yuit did watch the disappearing male a gladiator go for a few moments though, and Annelotte was almost positive she had a bit of worry. Maybe Shinji was gaining some ground after all.
Breaking into small conversation, mostly Yuit talking about her next plan for the hyper armor or Luna-Luna (now in her white form) telling tales and stories from her tribe, the trio made their way through the woods. Annelotte liked her companions, they were good people…even if Luna-Luna's tendrils had the habit of touching places she'd rather not have touched, but something was missing. Her little healer was missing, her squire…and she felt worried. If they found Ymir first, would she ask to take him to the queen? Ymir worked for that woman, was her main strategist, and Shinji would be welcomed at the castle. She'd lose him, and that idea was accompanied with a chilled stomach and dread.
"This is much further away than I expected this path to be, Yuit. We are quite a ways off from Shinji and Branwen," Annelotte confessed once they came to a stop. They had traveled through two hours of forest before finding the dirt road that Yuit was sure was the primary departure from the destroyed keep. Putting her shield on tightly, she gripped the leather strap tight as the battle lust started to rise, "Are you sure this is the right one?"
Using her tendrils to rise up high in a tree, Luna-Luna chimed in happily, "Oh I can scout ahead! My tendrils can see very far away. Just watch me go my Knight!" Happy to please, well Luna-Luna was always happy it seemed, she extended her purple tendrils all the way up above the tree line. The sun did glisten off that red crystal she had right where Shinji had his…Annelotte shook her head free of that image. "Something is coming! She was right! Two carts, one of soldiers and the one in the front has two women…one looks like a child!"
Two carts? A full patrol of women was too much for the three of them to handle fighting together. "What do we do, we can take on Ymir and deal with Mirim's armor, but not if we have to fight a whole cart of guards," Annelotte drew Grim Venus and dug her feet into the ground.
"Well that's easy enough, we have Vante throw the other cart away! Onii-san will stop the patrol and before they can act Vante and I will deal with the others!" Yuit slid down Vante's arm with practiced ease. Rushing after the automata through the trees, Yuit didn't give either of remaining women a voice in the matter.
Standing under Luna-Luna's tree, Annelotte got an unexpected view of just what was under that red crystal…so pink and did Luna-Luna shave that hair off for some reason? She had never considered shaving off that hair…would that be appreciated? Not now, that was a matter for another time! "I'll head further down the road, signal Shinji and keep an eye on Yuit for me. She gets forgetful of her surroundings while controlling Vante," she called up, Luna-Luna nodded and continued to spy with her tendrils.
"Let this go without incident, without need of bloodsheed," Annelotte let out a quick prayer. Watching the approaching dust from the mini caravan, Annelotte drew Grim Venus and took a deep breath. It was time to finish this business with Ymir and Mirim so she could focus on her personal matters. Dashing into the road, standing between Ymir and the capital, "Stop! In the name of the rebel alliance I will be demanding the release of your captive!"
The horseless carriage Ymir controlled skidded out of control for a moment then stopped. The dwarf laughed, "I knew you'd show up eventually! Mirim go…" Shouts from behind stopped Ymir's boast. Sticking her head out of the cabin of her cart, Ymir gasped as her guards carriage was lifted into the air by Vante and effectively immobilized. Calling out happily, "And the golem is her too! Excellent now I can get bo-whowh!"
Annelotte was not going to let the villain dialogue endlessly, and went for the strike. Grim Venus collided with a massive battle axe she hadn't noticed Ymir had. Far stronger than something that size should have, so Annelotte pushed harder until Mirim dove at her forcing her apart. Watching Ymir crawl out and vanish behind the cart, "Yuit, watch out the strategist is coming your way!" If Yuit heard the warning she didn't know, as Mirim demanded all of Annelotte's attention.
"Please don't fight! Just surrender, I don't want to-to-to hurt you!" Mirim's blade yanked her thin body around robotically. Fast jerking motions, yanking Mirim so hard her head bounded back and forth. Whatever mind controlled that saw blade was formidable and relentless. It clashed with Grim Venus with the speed of a viper strike or smashed hard against Annelotte's shield with skill far beyond the wielder's skill. All the while the pitiful woman called out, "Just stop alright? We won't hurt you if you submit. We're only stopping the bad people that plot against the queen!"
Seeing an opening, Mirim's recoil after a three burst strike was wide enough for her to get in and attack. Problem was where…where to attack that armor that would matter. "Hadn't Yuit said something about the wizard stones in her facsimile were poor…means its powered by them!" Annelotte grimaced as her opening presented itself. Her teeth rattled and her arm was numb from the fierceness of the blow, but she had to act now! Lancing forward, a plunging strike aimed at where Mirim's left nipple was, the host of one of the wizard stones, her attack was stopped by that shield.
The air itself seemed to throw her back flying through the air and the ground graced her with a painful catch. Angry, she was getting angry and flustered at this! How could she get through if she didn't have the power to get past that shield! Shaking her confusion away, she saw Mirim again standing atop of her with her wicked blade ready to strike, "Please…throw your sword away and I won't have-have to do this!" But the woman was already pulling back, ready to end her. Power…she needed more power!
"Onii-san/Knight!" twin voices called out as Mirim's blow started to descend. The crash that spared her life again came from Vante hurling the cart of women at Mirim. The crackling in the air caused Annelotte's hair to stand on end, but the shield didn't keep Mirim totally unmolested, sent the girl to the ground and gave Annelotte time to get back up.
Rushing the downed woman, Annelotte didn't give Yuit or Luna-Luna a thought. She had something to deal with and she was going to do so before she lost the chance. "I will end this threat! I will!" she needed power to do so though! Standing atop the downed Mirim, one leg on either side of the woman's chest, she jabbed down! Again that shield appeared, it resisted her…it fought against her! More…more strength! She felt power start to pulse inside her, but her mind started to fog over. More power! More-more-more! With more power she could supplant the smarter Yuit, be sexier than Luna-Luna, and more feminine that the missing Tiina! She could have him all to herself, she could take the queen down, could replace that woman in all manners possible!
Darker and darker…her vision as going dark but her body felt alive with power and energy untold! Stab, stab, stab! Mirim was pleading for release, pleading for help…none would be given! Hard, stronger, deeper! She was getting through! She was going to defeat this armor, going to claim victory, and she would have her reward! Again and again and again she lashed out…and then there was nothing…
X-X
Leaning with his back against a tree, Shinji stole a peek down the dusty road for the umpteenth time only to find nothing. Did Annelotte send him on this road knowing it was wrong or was it coincidence? A small paranoia he suffered due to his lack of unparalleled talent like she had. Only took a moment to remember that they only heard of this departure a few hours ago. Annelotte trusted him, she didn't send him off a burden. Sliding down, his knees bending, Shinji continued to draw out math problems in the dirt. Good to keep his mind keen on these things, just in case he needed them not out of enjoyment.
"I see why she calls you sage. Your skills at numbers is quite expansive. Do all from your world have such skill?" Branwen asked as she examined his scrawling. It didn't take nearly as long for them to move as Shinji expected, Branwen was an expert at moving that ball and chain. Why she insisted on keeping it on, Shinji wasn't going to ask. Everybody had something strange about them, even him, so why question? Using her sword point she did poke at some of the numbers questioningly, "Do you think you could teach me this? A trained mind is a powerful mind."
No real scholar, Shinji was tempted to instantly say 'no I'm not a teacher', but stopped himself. Where people like Yuit and Ymir did exist with staggering intellects, they were more crafters and less scientists. "I could try if you'd like. I'm just a novice myself, but I have books that could teach both of us. I'm a little shocked you'd like to learn this stuff, I don't know why I'm doing it other than boredom and the reminder of home," Shinji chuckled a little. School hadn't been his happiest place, but he had met his better male friends there. What were Touji and Kensuke doing now as he was hunted by armed forces?
"That sounds quite enjoyable really. I do enjoy mental challenges. Speaking of challenges, how are you handling your current ones with the dancer and child?" Branwen stood and took her turn watching the road. Alternating between them seemed best, but with how still the air was they both slacked off just a smidge. Putting a hand on his shoulder, she gave him a small shake, "One stands against you and the other trying to entice you…yet you don't take her up on the offer. Quite perplexing."
Finding his logic flawed, he scratched out the math problem in frustration. She would have to ask that wouldn't she? Falling down to sitting rather than painful kneeling, "Yuit-san…is having a hard time with her friend being used by the Ymir. I keep reminding myself 'what would I do if Leina was in a similar situation'. I'd do everything and anything I could to save her, but I also know my mind would be all over the place with worry. So I give her some leeway, even if I'm getting more frustrated by the moment." That was an understatement with the spoiled tiny elf, but Shinji knew issues when he saw them.
Taking a few steps out of the tree line that followed the road, Branwen grabbed her blade tightly as her body tensed up. "And the dancer and her obvious love for both of you? She has made it quite evident she wishes to bed both of you, neither of you take her up on such…" she pointed her weapon down the road. Dust was finally seen on the curve of the bend, something was coming, so both of them got ready.
Pulling out the walkie-talkie if this did prove to be Ymir's convey, Shinji readied his staff. "We don't know Luna-Luna-san very well. I briefly mentioned her village before, and she just rejoined us when we met you. Hardly the time to get that close to a person…" Shinji swallowed hard. Branwen was leaning forward and wiggling her rear slowly back and forth, her adornments riding high reminding Shinji that he needed to buy her some undergarments. Moving to her side, not wanting to fall to temptation of peeking, "Do you think this is her? That is an awfully small dust cloud."
"Amazons are much akin to my clan of dragon maidens. Dragons don't trust men so don't allow them to stay with us maidens in the village. If we wish to bare children or know the touch of a man we had to do so quickly. A few weeks is the longest I've known a man before my capture. And if affection is true why wait?" again Branwen's hand went to Shinji's back. He was bent over at her side, spying down the road at her side, he was perfectly level with her…was she telling him something or was it just more information about her life before?
Don't think about it, just a cultural difference, just a disconnect is all, Shinji focused on the task at hand instead. Much like a horse he dragged his foot repeatedly in the dirt to keep limber. "You have a point. If you know you love somebody I guess it's…" he stopped talking as a horse crested the small hill. A lone horse, emblazoned with the queen's colors, but a lone woman none-the-less. Bitterly he pulled back, "I'm thinking this is not the path. DO you want to head over to the other?"
"Waiting for word would be best, that was the plan was it not? We may be too impatient and lose our chance otherwise," Branwen hid back behind a tree. The rider passed without molestation and was soon gone. They both watched the rider's red armor clash with the red and brown through the trees for as long as they could, listened to the clopping until they were again in silence. After her rather forthcoming comment about her tribe, Shinji was too embarrassed to talk to her. Speculating on why she'd just offer that information led him down avenues of thought best not encouraged.
Her mouth opening to speak, Branwen was cut off as the walkie-talkie burst into life, "Sage…my Sage we've made contact with the caravan. You best hurry over here or you'll miss it all. And remember my price for helping with this." Her voice had been teasing and telling in equal measures. Oh and her of so subtle request for a little affection for her duty in helping Yuit in something that only benefitted the tiny elf. Branwen gave Shinji a little knowing look, her eyebrow raised and her lip half curved up. Yeah hard to come with a counter to that, Branwen was quite astute yet didn't tease him. Woman had common sense in spades and was just so calm and peaceful outside of battle.
"Well we better get going, we're a good distance from them," Shinji didn't want to comment on Luna-Luna. He felt…not dirty but peculiar about being viewed as being promiscuous. Yes, he did feel that growing spark of genuine love for Annelotte, which was why they did sleep together. Luna-Luna was a wonderful lady, but he didn't know her so the idea of doing the same was…alien to Shinji. Add to it his never ending hope to find his old friends…he had to look quite the conniver. Not a sex fiend, he didn't need it to live or be happy…but he did have urges and added to that his mindset…he was miserable! Was he looking too deeply into things because of the curse's current fixation on him, or was he avoiding the obvious?
The clang of metal on metal and snapping wood was the indication that Branwen was close behind him. That ball and chain would have driven Alleyne mad with the devastation it left. Alleyne trained to leave no trail while moving in the forest, Branwen was nothing BUT a trail of snapped trees and a deep carved dirt trail. It wouldn't take a master tracker to follow that trail, Shinji doubted Branwen cared if she was. Woman could defeat just about anybody if provoked, probably not Leina though Shinji did have a weighted opinion on that.
Rushing as fast as they could, Shinji wasn't shocked when the heavily encumbered Branwen passed him up by the time they saw the clearing of road up ahead. She was used to baring that weight and had stamina in droves! Using his healing powers to augment his tired legs, he tore through his pain and kept up with her. Plowing through the treeline, Shinji tumbled over an exposed root and went rolling. Face down in the dirt, Shinji heard the sounds of multiple combats going on all around him.
Forcing himself up, he saw the first major concern, Luna-Luna was dealing with a squad of dazed but recovering guards. "Branwen-san, go help out over there, try not to kill them if possible," Shinji had faith in Luna-Luna's skill but numbers counted for a lot. Next he saw something he had no idea how to deal with, Ymir and Yuit were rolling over one another trying to get a remote control, and…Shinji nearly dropped his staff. "Annelotte-san? Annelotte-san what is going on?" Shinji yelled.
It was Annelotte in body shape only, a discolored doppleganger! Annelotte's lovely purple locks were now black, the armor took on a gold color, her clothing changed, and she had a vague aura of menace about her. Standing over the fallen Mirim, her sword was poised right over the small girl's chest jabbing repeatedly down at it. Did he go see what was up with her, or did Shinji help Yuit with Ymir?
"BOY! Go stop Onii-sama! She'll kill Mirim! Please stop her!" Yuit yelled out as she held a handful of Ymir's hair. The two small women traded punches to the face and stomach, grabbed and tugged on hair, and showed an extreme lack of close quarters combat knowledge.
Well that answered that, Shinji was glad he didn't have to make that choice. Rushing past the stalled Vante, Shinji was saddened the golem didn't act without orders, he felt that oppressive aura envelop him. "Annelotte stop! Look at me! What is happening here!" he fought against the power radiating out of her. Finally he was able to see what she was attacking, it wasn't Mirim herself but one of the glowing gems on the girl's armor.
Stopping her assault, Annelotte turned away from her prey and her baleful eyes found a new target. No words left her lips, just a dumb look of unexpected joy. She smiled…and it was a smile Shinji had seen before and he froze at the sight of it. He had seen Melona give that same smile to him before, during the worst of his time in that cave the slime had that smile. Reaching out his current closest friend, "Stop this Anne-chan…this isn't like you at all. Come back-come…"
Effortlessly she stuck the blade of Grim Venus into Shinji's stomach with a wet gluck sound, one hand on Shinji's shoulder pulled him closer to her. She buried Grim Venus up to the hilt, pulled Shinji's cheek up to hers, and then shoved him back off. Oh angels the pain was terrific, his powers didn't stop the pain and as he lay on his back drawing on the golden powers of healing to knit his body back together, Shinji watched as Annelotte returned to task.
"S-stop! Don't do this!" Shinji tried to yell but his body was to wracked with pain to do so. This new Annelotte, this being that felt similar to the demon he faced with Leina back in the Queen's chambers oh so long ago, gave three more stabs and the gem finally broke. It didn't just shatter like a piece of glass, it blew outward destroying both Mirim's top and bottom, but the show didn't end there. Energy was being released from the three cracked gems…and it was being funneled into Annelotte who was at the moment stalled by it.
Using his staff as a crutch, Shinji got back to his feet and saw the large hole in his plug-suit modified clothing. Going to take a lot of time to patch it this time, oh and he saw a puddle of drying blood under him. But as the energy from the gems died down, Annelotte fell with her hair back to purple. One less problem…time to address the other problems. "What the hell was that…ask later…Vante you're a little…late?" Shinji stated as the smiling floating elf-creature floated over to him. Then he flew backwards as Vante backhanded him with full strength, he stopped when his favorite back smashed deeply into a tree and splintered it. Coughing up blood, "T-the hell?"
"It's mine now! I don't need that failed experiment anymore! You can keep the worthless thing," Ymir tore a flower wreath off her arm and threw it at Mirim. Shinji saw the girl, now exposed for all to see, reach out to Ymir and burst out crying. Not to be stopped though, Ymir kicked at the downed Yuit. Stalking closer to Shinji, controller in hand, "I've been waiting so long for this. Ever since I saw that girl from your world I knew you'd be back." Ymir controlled Vante to pummel Shinji again and again, massive blows rained down on him as Ymir laughed.
Using his staff to block as many as he could, Shinji couldn't bring himself to attack back. If he did, he'd destroy Vante and that felt wrong. If it was alive he could heal her, but what if it was only partially alive? He'd not be able to repair gears and wires with his powers. But he could block and deflect, "Ymir-san, why are you doing this? This isn't like you at all. I…I missed you." He didn't know her as well as many of the others, but she was a familiar face, somebody from the past! Did something happen and they blamed him for it? Was that why she was beating him so savagely?
"Oh this is just the start! With my new toy you're going to…hey!" Ymir screeched as the controller was yanked from her hand. Not only was the controller but Vante herself had a metal claw grab onto her leg and hoist her up into the air. "Give that back, it's mine!" Ymir jumped at the ascending controller.
Summoning more of his powers, he was going to have a glut of Holy Milk now, Shinji healed himself and got off the ground. It was Liliana's flying ship again? The undead pirate lord that answered to the Swamp Witch was here now? Great just how else could things get worse! Hobbling towards the departing Vante, Shinji was unwittingly the springboard for Ymir to leap up and wrap her arms around the automaton's waist. "I thought the kraken got you," he grunted out.
"Rules of Piracy number 4! Steal from everybody at the opportune moment!" Liliana called out followed by a raucous laugh. Falling to his knees, as Luna-Luna and Branwen got to him to help support him, Shinji watched as the undead pirates hucked barrels at Ymir until they knocked the dwarf off. Due to the height of Vante at the time, Shinji had no idea where Ymir landed, it just wasn't near them. Getting off the ground, he noticed both his current aids were covered in his blood, he couldn't meet there gaze…guess they knew he was a healer now if they didn't suspect before. Were they going to fear him, turn him into the church, or accept him? He relaxed when Luna-Luna drew him into a massive hug, burying his face in the uncanny valley.
The battle was a draw…they defeated Ymir's armor and saved Mirim, but they lost Vante and something happened to Annelotte in the process…it was time to retreat to the house to regroup. Nobody offered any objections.
X-X
A full belly of food and a mind a little tipsy with some drink she had bought, Luna-Luna pranced about the outside of her current dwelling. Yes things weren't optimal, but they could be remedied. Any problem that wasn't permanent was something that could be rectified and made right again. Personally she thought the odd blond floating thing was alive, she could sense a spark of life in it but it was faint. So she'd help more, it helped her two life-mates so all the better! Their mood was down though, so she'd help with that too. Thankfully she had snuck a little alcohol in with the food she bought that morning…the celebration turned recovery effort would need it.
Ah night truly was the best part of the day, she felt so free and alive as she danced around the small grass lawn. Spinning in circles, her tendrils flying to the winds, it was a blessing to have the wind on her body. But she could feel her other half starting to buck against her mind, her 'dark' half wanted to enjoy the time as well. All good things…
"So how are you doing now onee-san?" Luna-Luna asked as she pirouetted into the single room building. They hadn't spoken much since Annelotte awoken from her odd state, but it was expected. Not everyday you learn you have a demonic half you couldn't control. Luna-Luna had some control over her transformation so she could relate a tad. Pouring another small glass of wine to go with the half-eaten food, "You should eat and drink a little, keep your spirits up."
Sitting on the ground with her back to the wall, Annelotte just picked at the food and shrugged. "Not feeling very hungry right now, Luna-Luna. But if you want to finish it, feel free," she cast her gaze over to Yuit and Mirim. The two small women were huddled on the lone bed and sleeping. Yuit had cried herself to sleep, worries about Vante overrode whatever mental stigma she had about public shows of emotion. Favoring the drink, Annelotte looked at it, played a little game of nearly putting it down and pulling it back a few times, then settled on pounding it all down. Coughing a little, it was strong stuff, "How are you doing? I…I don't remember much of what happened during the fight."
"I'm fine, all I did was slap a few of those women back to dream land, onee-san," Luna-Luna confessed. It had been tense for a few moments as more and more women were waking than she could handle, but that was when Branwen stepped in to assist. Not the worst fight of her life by a long stretch. Making long and exaggerated steps towards the bed, she got a nice thrill as Annelotte watched her and she made a point of showing off. Pulling the blanket up over the sleeping pair, "She cares so deeply for that creation of hers. I'm assuming we'll be trying to get it back?"
Spilling her glass over, thankfully empty, Annelotte's motor control was shaky at best. "Yeah, once we have a plan. Might have to split up to look for it and take that…Mirim girl back to her home. Without her armor she isn't much more than a liability. But we can't leave the that pirate to escape…I should send Shinji off with her," she sniffed hard a few times and drew her legs up close to her body.
Ah yes her beloved little sage! Luna-Luna was going to knock a little sense into his head next. But for now it was Annelotte that needed some tender words. Going into another of her dances, working up a sweat always made the lovemaking more enjoyable. "You could, but whoever you send off while come back to you. We're here for you, onee-san, whether you forgive yourself for your accident or not," she ran a finger down Annelotte's cheek.
"If he didn't have his powers I would have killed him! Did you not see the damage I did to his clothing? See the blood that stained him? I almost killed that Mirim girl! I'm a monster…" Annelotte shrugged away from the Luna-Luna's touch.
At that her dance stopped and her bangles jingled and her tendrils went lax. "Do you honestly think that? Do you think I am a monster as well for my dual nature?" her voice choked just a little. It was a fear of hers, always had been and always would. Being born the Sun and Moon Dancer made her different than normal people. Her tribes women feared and respected her, but they weren't friends to her. Oh she had lovers among them, but they didn't connect beyond divine channeled and servant. Did her future husband and wife feel the same…dread of her duel nature?
"Of course not! You don't…your two halves are normal…they're not…I don't know what happened to me fully yet, but I do not think you a monster," Annelotte's drunken slurring actually helped. The unabated earnest nature of a drunk destroyed any idea of subterfuge. Burying her face into her legs, she just sighed deeply, "Could you leave me for the night though? I need to ruminate on things and our plans. But…if you must see somebody could you see Shinji? After he heals he gets…he has problems. And after what I caused everybody today he is likely very troubled."
Getting one of the extra blankets, her sage thought of everything, Luna-Luna covered Annelotte with it and kissed her forehead. The first of two worries gone, her onee-san didn't fear or hate her. But what of her sage? Stepping back out into the night air, she saw another unexpected person pacing under the crescent moons. Watching in silence for a moment as Branwen practically destroyed the food she had, she snickered, "While it is good, I prefer fruits to meat. You however seem to have a different opinion."
"Oh, so there you are. I had thought you'd have went looking for Master. He ventured off after finishing cooking I thought it was some veiled rendezvous," Branwen chucked her meatless bone into the woods. Favoring water to the wine, she drank directly from an odd hand shaped water sleeve. Sitting on the massive iron ball she drug around everywhere, "Though with his odd notions about being with women, you might have to make the first move if you wish him to truly know your aims."
Something in how Branwen spoke colored Luna-Luna's curiosity. It wasn't accusatory, but it was a little leading. "Are you upset that I love them both? In my tribe love is freely given among those who care. I…I have seen it more than felt it. Part of why my other half is so demanding. She can take where I can't," Luna-Luna grabbed another bottle and helped herself to a little. The wine in her village was far better than this bitter brew.
Shaking her hand, Branwen's massive braid swung over her shoulder. "No I am not upset. I am still in shock at my freedom is all. The night air feels fantastic on my skin, food is far better, and Asher is free. I have all that I could wish for while I am his servant. Yet…he is an accursed. My tribe has an edict to kill all males that have the powers of healing. Ancient tales of evil men with such powers enslaving and conquering leave their mark. But I do not feel that from him, I never have. I find myself at an impasse. Do I follow tradition, or do I honor the one that saved me from a horrid fate?" she sat heavily on her ball a perplexed expression.
Ah yes, the curse on her creamy bronze leg would kill her if she killed Shinji now. Luna-Luna knew little of magics outside her own school, but that was one she had heard of. The brand of slavery would strike down the owner if they killed their master. "You have time to think about it. But know if you try you'll find at least two here that will try to stop you. But I have seen more chain links forming than vanishing since you joined…think you WANT to be owned by him," Luna-Luna's fingers traced down Branwen's spin. Such a lovely back, nice muscles and texture of skin…maybe later they could share some time.
But Branwen wasn't in the mood, Luna-Luna could tell that much. Leaving the woman to her quandary, Luna-Luna suspected the gladiator already had her answer. Tribal laws said nothing about men that could heal, so Luna-Luna had no qualms with her little sage's skills. Sniffing the night air, she caught his scent, it was something unworldly and easy to pick up for her trained nose. Slinking off into the woods, she played the panther and went silently and skillfully.
"Oh-ho he's already ready for me?" Luna-Luna tittered as she found a pair of slacks without an owner followed by his top. Listening to the night air, she heard a male voice muttering and followed it. And there he was, standing fearfully amide the trees, sneaking looks back at the cabin and a turgid member bouncing in the moonlight. Her mouth started to salivate…she never had a man before. Then again she never felt such emotions for a man or woman as she did her knight and sage. Her want for Annelotte was almost as great as for Shinji. "So this is where you ran off to…hiding from us?" Luna-Luna held up Shinji's pants before throwing them back further behind her.
His head spun around so fast he nearly fell over from the momentum. "Luna-Luna? W-what are you doing here? I-I told Branwen-san not to let anybody know where I went. I…I have to take care of this or…" he covered his shame before twisting away from Luna-Luna.
"Why hide it from me my sage? I know of your issues, onee-san told me of it. I come here to exact my payment and help you ease your stress," she cooed into the night air. Coming up behind Shinji, she shed her meager cloth covering and pressed herself fully against his naked back. For being so small he was sure sturdy and warm, she could grow addicted to it. Love was love, emotions were emotions…they were to be embraced not hidden from. Using her tendrils to pull his arms away from his shame, and she tried not to poke his back with her crystal.
Try as he might to fight free of her tendrils, they were firmly in place and gently pulled his arms taught making a horizontal line of them. "B-but why? We do know each other, but…I'm with Annelotte? Doesn't that bother you? I have not one but two wives! I own Branwen! I…this can't be normal to you! Anyway shouldn't we…get closer first then?" Shinji bucked but it was a weak effort at best.
"What better way to get to know somebody than to make love, my sage?" she turned him around and licked his nose. Already she could feel her other side start to push harder and harder…so she surrender to it and became the viewer.
Ah much more liberating, while she was fully aware of her light sides action, the moon dancer felt things much more vibrantly and would force her sage to know the truth. Lifting Shinji off the air just a little, he tried to look away but she cupped his cheek and force their gaze to meet. "In my tribe a man is just there to fuck and leave. I've seen women mate with men they've known for mere minutes, and they left happy. Yet you are so fragile, so worried about my feelings and those of others. Know that my onee-san asked for this…and I wish it too. Love is to be freely given…and I know I love you. Both of us do," she drew him in closer to her.
Resting just above her crystal, Shinji's face went red as she kissed him deeply. Such a talent for one that looked so innocent, Luna-Luna took that simple action as an ok. "Maybe for you we haven't known each other long, but aside the chieftain I have known you longer than any male…and truly any person. My tribe sees me as a sacred dancer, unapproachable…but you two are different…you are mine," she lowered him.
Shinji's member brushed against her taught stomach as the tendrils lowered him down. As he descended his mass pulled the crystal out of her, only an inch inside but it was always there…until now. "A-are you sure? I mean…its so…so…" Shinji would have kept up his rebuttal but Luna-Luna kissed him again. When he eased into it, his arms stopped resisting, Luna-Luna released her hold on him. His hands went to her breasts and started to tweak and tease them. Breaking the kiss for but a moment, "This is…hard for me…not normal. But…you are…both sides of you…I like both."
Using her tendrils she eased both of them to the ground and made a cushion for herself less some rocks cut her skin. "No more talk, my sage…repay me my efforts and show me your love…words are just flittering bits of wind," she bit at his ear and that was the go button. In one quick motion he dove into her honey soaked flower. While she had thought the crystal had been a tight fit she had been wrong! He stuffed her to overwhelming and she found herself climaxing already. A small one…she had them often…but at just the start she found her arms wrapped around his back hugging him close.
"A-are you alright?" Shinji asked as the tendrils went lax and the fell a bit harder on the ground. Such tender care and affection, Luna-Luna was right in her appraisal of her husband. Meant she was likely right about her wife, would be fun to have both of them! Nodding to him, he started to actually push deeper into her, every ridge ever bump of him she felt and her eyes closed tight as she seared that sensation into her mind. The little playing with her handmaidens hadn't been close to this, emotion topped simple sensation didn't it?
Wrapping her legs around his waist, she clung deeply to him as he increased his pace. "S-sage you're…my I can't think straight!" she tried to but it was a jumble of pleasure and sensation. His hands went to her sensitive nipples and she lapped at his cheek as he did, boy was made for this…trained well…or was just naturally gifted as he brought her to a fevered pitch! "Big…its going…big…" she felt something growing on the horizon and it was frightening how big it felt. She had a few big climaxes in life, her first time with the one maiden she thought truly loved her but had lied was close.
"P-promise me…we'll truly get to…know each other?" Shinji panted as he increased his pace frantically. His body literally slapped against hers as he neared his end…Luna-Luna could only nod as her mind was quite figuratively jelly at the moment. She would have promised anything at that moment…but he didn't ask for servitude or a slave…he asked for a friend or a true wife. Something she gladly would give.
When the holy milk entered her, Luna-Luna bit down savagely on Shinji's shoulder to stifle the scream. Giving their position away was bad…and it was the only alternative she had. But gods her mind went full white as bliss untold filled her from head to outstretched toes, even her tendrils went out to their fill size before she collapsed in a heap. Wrapping her arms around him…she couldn't let him have a second go or her mind would truly be lost. Hugging him tightly, her body absorbing the potent elixir as sand did water. "I love you, sage. You and onee-san…never leave me?" she snuggled close to him and slept under the stars, comfortable in his arms…funny normally it was her light side that said the sappy things.
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Notes
I always thought Luna-Luna was more a free spirit and would be quite open about things like this. Much like Mutsumi from Love-Hina. It isn't cheap if you believe in open sharing and caring. Hope you didn't mind Luna-Luna's quick start. I'll develop them a bit more as time goes on, but for her it just felt right for her to do it like this. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and keep supporting this oddity.
Later
Mercaba