Caboose's date with Tio proved rather uneventful. At Tio's request, the pair went on a picnic in Tio's old forest, where - due to the 'protection' Caboose had placed, everything was still pristine and natural. The pair had a wonderful time, the only event of note being when Tio mentioned that she was looking forward to when she could stop calling him 'Mr. Fiance' and start calling him 'Mr. Husband'.

"When will that be?" Caboose asked curiously.

Tio blushed brightly. "When we..." She twiddled her fingers nervously. "When we all are one..."

"Are...one?" Caboose tilted his head in confusion.

Tio blinked, then giggled softly. "Umm...when we all..." She rubbed one fingertip against another as she searched for a proper way to explain it. "When...oh Freckle, can you explain it?"

[Among the ogre tribe, a group marriage is considered formalized when the entire group engages in physical intimacy under the full moon,] Tio's Freckle explained calmly.

"The full...oh!" Caboose responded, understanding it. "I see. So that's...a pretty important event?"

"We consider it sacred, Mr. Fiance," she whispered softly.

Caboose was silent for a time. "...what is 'sacred'?"

Tio couldn't help but sweatdrop. How was she going to explain that?


While Manako had been nervous about going on a date with Caboose alone as she was still uncertain about being stared at, Caboose was quick to reassure her that anyone staring would be staring at him.

"Either because I stand out and am a celibate-tea, or because I have such a super cute date and they're jealous!" he explained readily, alternately making Manako giggle and blush brightly.

"Yeah, your tea is anything but celibate!" Zombina called as she helped Shiishii settle her things - and their purchases from the convention - into the mausoleum.

"From what you've described, I'm really looking forward to my turn," Shiishii purred eagerly, making Zombina to blush...much to Shiishii's confusion. After all, Zombina didn't have blood in her veins anymore, so how were her cheeks able to color?

"Hey!" Miia hissed angrily, her tail jerking spasmodically with her irritation. "I was here before any of you, so I'm getting first chance at Darling!"

"I believe that should be Master's choice," Cerea observed diffidently, though clenching her fists tightly. It was plain to everyone except Caboose that only good manners kept her from claiming first go by rights of being his squire and the Keybearer.

"And if Honey doesn't want to choose, then it's first cum first served..." Rachnera purred wickedly, idly manipulating her silk between her claws.

"And I think you might find that competition...a bit more than you can handle," Oct purred throatily as her tentacles writhed threateningly, her eyes glowing from under her hood.

"And I think we should probably leave before everything explodes," Manako whispered nervously as she clung to Caboose.

[Affirmative,] Caboose's Freckle agreed as they left.

In the mausoleum, Zombina turned to Shiishii. "Thanks," she whispered happily. "I knew that would get Mana-chan more scared of staying than going."

"No problem!" Shiishii responded happily. "But...how are you able to blush? Also, how come you haven't suffered any rigor mortis while I've been here?"

Zombina blinked in surprise. "I...what?"

In the shadows of the mausoleum, Lala watched thoughtfully. Her suspicions were narrowing. Of all the divine beings out there that Caboose might be tied to, very few could give even a semblance of true life to the dead, as seemed to be happening to Zombina...


Caboose first took Manako to a local festival, as he wanted to enjoy the games. Unfortunately, the vendors at the stalls recognized him from the last time he'd been to that festival before the girls had started being placed with him. It was part of what had made people stare at him so much back then. All the skill games closed 'for maintenance' as he approached because he'd nearly cleaned them out when he'd been there last from being too good with his hands...except the sharp-shooting stall, where one bad shot had caused a chain reaction that collapsed the entire stall.

At Manako's suggestion, they instead went somewhere more private where they could both relax without worrying about being judged...karaoke. Much to her surprise, Caboose had a surprisingly good singing voice when singing a song he knew by heart...which were quite a lot. Almost a third of those he knew by heart were, unsurprisingly with 17 sisters, Disney songs. Another third, surprisingly enough, were love songs in languages other than English. The last third - save two - were lullabies from all across the universe, even one that seemed to consist entirely of the sound 'Blargh'.

The last two songs he knew seemed odd, and yet somehow suited him perfectly. With the first, he gave Rick Astley a run for his money. With the last...well, even Manako got infected with his energy and began to dance as he called out, "It's just a jump to the left..."


Caboose lay back in bed, alone for once. What Tio had said had stuck with him, even if he hadn't been able to understand the concept of 'sacred'. Apparently, it was super important when they all got together under the full moon next time. Since the next full moon was coming up, he needed to make sure he made this full moon a good one.

"Freckle?" he called out.

[Yes, Captain?]

"See if you can find some good romantic spots for next full moon," Caboose asked hopefully. "Someplace to make it...special."

[Searching Extra-species compatible honeymoon locations...]