"Well, here it is.", I stated as we finally came upon the Whitehorn road. We had been walking for the better part of an hour in silence before we finally came upon it. We had been going in silence yet again, but I could see that both Elt and Anastasia were looking rather...conflicted. It also seemed like Elt was starting to feel the effects of the cold again.
"Which way should we go?", Elt asked, starting to shake a bit. Looking at the road, it seemed to run southwest to northeast, winding a bit along the way. Looking at the tracks on the ground of the road, though, I was able to make out many tracks that weren't covered up by the falling snow. They seemed to be going southwest.
"We head northeast.", I said before explaining."These tracks imply the Whitehorns primarily run southwest, so we're more likely to run into them quicker going the opposite direction." With a couple nods of understanding, we all began to go the direction I specified as Anastasia floated up to talk with me as we walked.
"We're being watched.", she spoke in a whisper. Looking around, I was able to confirm what she was claiming with [Perception 9]. There were various blue women that seemed to be watching us from the treeline, but they didn't seem to make a move.
"You think they'll try anything?", I asked.
"Maybe. They're Glacies, likely just watching to make sure we don't get too close to the Ice Queen's territory. They won't try to rape you or Elt, but they may still attack.", she responded before adding."You think that response is worth answering another question perhaps?"
"Heh, maybe if you answer one more of mine.", I responded with [Barter 100].
"Alright, let's here it.", she responded.
"What's up with you?", I asked, causing her to adopt a look of confusion."You were lost in thought for a while before we hit the road, so what's up?"
"I...I'm just confused by our previous conversation. The one with Papi.", she responded before asking."I still don't understand what makes love in mamono so different from love in humans."
"Well, from what I've read, monsters see love as their main driving force for living, their true goal in life.", I answered before continuing."That's not how it works in humans. We don't put as much emphasis on love as you do. So, it's not necessarily that love is different between the two species, but rather, it's treated differently."
"I suppose I could see that.", she responded."Us mamono see sex as proof of true love and marriage, and seeing that it is our true goal, we pursue it very adamantly."
"Yeah, humans don't work that way.", I added."While sex is still tied very heavily with love for us, it's not exclusive. That's why us humans can just fuck for fun without always having to invest in a commitment."
"And that's why you won't accept my proposals? You fear commitment?", she asked.
"No, I simply have too many other obligations and things to do. Your main goal may be sex and marriage, but mine is very different.", I answered.
"Oh, and what would that be?", she asked coyly, no doubt thinking she was getting good intel.
"Going home.", I answered.
"Okay, and where is your home?", she asked, trying to pry further.
"Sorry, I've already answered too many of your questions, this Q and A session is over.", I stated smugly, causing her to comically slump over, defeated.
"Hey, w-what are you two talking about?", Elt asked as he caught up with us.
"Oh, not much.", I responded."Anastasia just wanted to know what love is."
"Good luck, monsters wouldn't know true love if it b-bit them from behind." Elt responded, causing Anastasia to pout.
"You're one to talk, Knight.", she responded before adding."Those heroes Lady Druella transformed said they all had a thing for you, yet you were denser than a brick wall. Like you've ever experienced love yourself."
"How d-dare you mention them, monster!", Elt was about to lash out again and draw his sword, but his hand stopped just short of the handle, and he adopted another conflicted look on his face before dropping the threat entirely.
"She's got a point, Elt.", I chimed in."I only spent a little bit of time with you all, and they all clearly had a thing for you. Being monsterized only seems to have amplified that obsession now that screwing you has become their main goal." At that, he simply looked at the ground as we walked and nodded, not saying a word.
As we began to fall into silence again, the sound of hooves pattering from ahead caught our attention. Looking ahead, we could see two centaur-like figures approaching us on the road. Getting out of the way slightly, they eventually made it to our location before slowing down to greet us.
"Greetings, travelers.", one of the girls said."Do not be alarmed, we mean you no harm. My name is Sydney, and this is Beth. We are Whitehorns, helping travelers like yourselves stay alive in this frozen landscape. May I ask your names and business?"
They were both very pretty, and looked very similar. They were both centaurs, but had a lot more fur around their lowers halves for warding off the cold. They also both wore fur coats and fur hats over their flowing white hair. Sydney's coat colors were blue, while Beth's were red. They also had antlers poking out of their hats, and pointy, furry ears and their faces were flushed, likely due to the temperature.
"Hey, my name is Six. This is Elt and Anastasia.", I answered her, motioning to each of my companions as I introduced them before continuing."We are lost and in search of a settlement before proceeding to Magicor. We were told by a Yeti that you could help us."
"Indeed, we can.", Sydney responded before continuing,"We can answer any questions you have back at our station. It isn't too far."
"Great, we'll also need some clothes for Elt here so he doesn't freeze on us.", I stated, pointing to Elt who was now shaking a bit more.
"Certainly! Just hop on our backs and we can take you back to our station for warmth and rest.", Sydney responded as Beth nodded. I nodded before turning to my companions.
"Don't worry about me, I can just float alongside you both.", Anastasia answered before floating up a bit higher to be at the Whitehorn's level. Elt, on the other hand, had gone red in the face again.
"Come on, Elt, these nice ladies are offering to give us a ride, are you gonna be rude and turn down their polite offer?", I asked.
"I...oh fine, as long as they don't try anything.", he relented with a glare.
"You'll be behind her, I doubt she could try anything even if she wanted to.", I responded with a deadpan stare, though no one could see it thanks to my Gas Mask. With that, Elt mounted Beth while I mounted Sydney and we readied ourselves to go. Just then, my Pip-Boy beeped as the quest "Where the Whitehorns Run" completed. That was rather easy.
"We recommend you hold on tightly as to not fall off, as well as to partake in our warmth.", Sydney said, taking my hands and wrapping them around her stomach. Well, she's got a point, so I might as well. Although, it's pretty clear to me now that this is how they lure in their prey.
We began to speed up before the girls took off in a dead sprint, blazing through the cold winds as Elt and I began to cling closer to our mounts. Anastasia was having a bit of trouble keeping up, but she managed. I didn't bother to look to see how Elt was faring, though I imagine his face was beet red and would make me laugh if I saw it. As we raced through the snowy road, though, I began to notice Sydney doing something. Her hands still gripped onto my interlocked ones on her stomach, and she began to try and slowly guide my hands further up on her body to her chest area. It was clear she was trying to get me to grope her. Before my hands could reach her breasts, though, Elt called out next to me.
"W-W-WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME DO?", Elt cried as it was pretty clear he noticed Beth trying to do the some thing to him, too.
"Oh dear, it seems I've been caught.", Beth said as she held her hands to her cheeks and smiled embarrassingly.
"Oh Beth, you never learn, do you?", Sydney asked as she noticeably stopped trying to make me grope her. They both giggled at that before continuing on.
"I know you were trying to make me do the same.", I whispered in her fluffy ear.
"My my, seems I'm not as sly as I thought I was, though it seems to have worked.", she responded in a whisper. At first, I didn't know what she meant until I noticed something poking through my pants and into Sydney's back."That wouldn't happen to be a weapon in your pocket, would it?" She asked with a sly grin and a whisper.
"Oh, it's a weapon alright.", I whispered back before adding,"Though I don't think you'd be able to handle it."
"Is that right?", Sydney asked before adding,"I do believe you underestimate me." After a period of sexual tension and silence we both began to laugh, much to the confusion of Elt and Anastasia. Although, after seeing the looks Sydney was sending my way, she began to almost pout, in jealousy perhaps? Regardless, we continued our journey without any more mishaps.
"What is that?", Sydney asked as she looked at my Plasma Defender I pulled out of my pants.
"I told you. It's a weapon you wouldn't be able to handle.", I responded. We entered the large Whitehorn station, which seemed to double as an inn of sorts, and Sydney had been rather adamant about getting us alone to do the dirty. Instead, I shocked her by pulling out my favorite Energy Handgun right in front of my companions.
"Well, okay, but I thought you meant...you know…", she trailed off, not specifying what she meant.
"Hmm, sorry. Afraid I don't know.", I responded with a smug grin."Oh well, good talk.", I finished with a wink as I went back with my companions who were now sitting at a booth in this station's first floor tavern. Beth was making sure a certain coat fit Elt fine, and Anastasia has a satisfied smirk on her face as she watched my exchange with Sydney. I went ahead and digitized my weapon back in my duster before sitting down and looking at the menu. It was now around 6:00pm, and we were planning on eating dinner with these two ladies as they gave us directions.
After ordering some food with everyone else, along with a mug of ale, I made to check up on Elt as Sydney came back over to the booth with a disappointed look on her face.
"So, Elt, how's that coat fitting?", I asked.
"It's fitting good.", he replied simply. His new coat covered his light plate armor, and was brown in color with white fur lining the insides and coming out of the top.
"Aren't you going to thank the nice lady for gifting it you and helping you put it on?", I asked, motioning to Beth who had a large smile on her face. Elt briefly looked at her before getting red in the face again.
"T-Thank you, Beth, for giving me this coat and helping me put it on…", he said in a low tone of voice, but it was still just loud enough for her to hear him.
"Aww, you're welcome, cutie.", she said as she put her hands back to her cheeks."Let me know how it does for you. I made it with my own fur, after all." As she said that, Elt began to stammer again, causing all of us to laugh at his embarrassment.
Looking around, I saw our food and drinks being brought by another whitehorn, but I also noticed something else. There was barely anyone else in here. In fact, I only counted two other people eating at different tables. I understand that this place is kind of an outpost in the middle of nowhere, but you'd thin they'd at least have a little bit more business during the dinner rush.
"Where is everyone?", I asked as the food was dropped on our table.
"Not many people are able to make the journey out here anymore on account of the Ring of Ice.", Sydney explained to us as we began to eat.
"Ring of Ice? What is that?", I asked. When I did, they got a look on their faces I couldn't quite place before Sydney spoke up again.
"The Ring of Ice is a massive snowstorm brewing in the center of Fenrim, dividing the nation in two. ", Sydney explained with a sigh."Most settlements, as well as Magicor, are on the other side of the storm, meaning that many people haven't been able to come or leave this station. Anyone who enters the Ring of Ice freezes almost immediately and is taken away by Glacies."
"So what you're saying is we are stuck here until this storm goes away.", I summarized for her, to which she nodded. Shit, another roadblock."Any idea how long this storm will last?"
"As far as I'm aware, indefinitely since it is not natural.", Sydney answered.
"Not natural? You mean a mamono is causing it?", Anastasia asked.
"Yes, allow me to explain.", Sydney began."Around a month or so ago, the Glacies around the Great Killova Mountain Range to the northeast started acting odd. First, a large glacier formed around the base of the mountain where the Ice Queen is said to live, blocking entrance to her domain. Next, people along the roads around the mountains began to disappear, being taken away by Glacies. Before long, one of our own Whitehorn stations was attacked by Glacies, resulting in the kidnapping of everyone present. Glacies work directly under the Ice Queen, so we are fairly certain she is the cause behind all of this. Finally, they facilitated the power of the Ice Queen in the center of Fenrim, creating the Ring of Ice. Anyone who wants to go back to the west side now had to take the long way around south."
"Hold on, why are these Glacies bothering to take back people that have frozen to death?", I asked.
"They aren't killed by being frozen in these attacks or storms.", Anastasia answered before continuing."This cold is an unnatural one, caused by Demonic Energy that freezes the heart and spirit rather than the body."
"Okay, then what's the point of that?", I asked."I thought these Glacies didn't rape people."
"They don't. They are emotionless ice elementals that live only to serve the Ice Queen.", Sydney responded before explaining."However, when a person, human or monster, has their heart frozen, they seek the warmth of another to thaw their spirit. This is normally done through sex."
"I see. It's how they get their Spirit Energy.", I finished with a nod.
"Regardless, we can't go back south! We'll be caught!", Elt spoke up, causing the two whitehorns to look confused.
"I'm sorry. Caught by whom?", Sydney asked before adding."You all wouldn't happen to be evading authorities, would you?"
"No, I don't know if you've heard, but Lescatie was just taken over by the Demon Lord's armies.", I told her with a sigh."We managed to escape and teleport up here, but they are still looking for us. Not to mention we got a tag-a-long." With that, I motioned to Anastasia, to which the whitehorns froze up.
"Wait, you're with-!", Beth tried to exclaim, but Anastasia cut her off.
"Yes, I'm with the Demon Lord's armies.", she said before quickly adding."Don't worry, I'll cause no trouble for you."
"You better not.", Sydney responded with a stern look."We don't serve rapists in this station." That's surprising. It seems that, even among certain monster groups, the monsters under the Demon Lord are slightly detested for their rapey tendencies.
"Getting back on track, Elt's right.", I said before continuing."You said this whole thing is being caused by the Ice Queen, right?"
"Yes, I did…", Sydney confirmed before narrowing her eyes and asking."You're not thinking about going to stop her, are you?"
"Yes, I am.", I responded bluntly, to which both whitehorns, and even some passersby widened their eyes in shock."What? Is it really that big of a deal?"
"Is it really-are you serious!?", Sydney asked before adding."Of course it's a big deal! The Ice Queen is one of the most powerful magic users in the world, and you think you can just waltz on up to her and make her stop?"
"Yeah, I do.", I responded plainly, making her adopt a look of pure disbelief."Now, can you tell me where I can find her domain and maybe any other pieces of information you have on her?"
"I-no, I can't.", Sydney responded before explaining."If you go, you will do nothing more than get yourself in heaps of trouble. I can't allow you to endanger yourself like that. Please, stay here and we can take care of yo-"
"Sorry, can't.", I responded, cutting her off."I've got things I need to do, and I'm on a time limit. If you won't help me, I'll go take care of it on my own." As I said that, I stood up, and began to make for the door.
"Wait, Six!", Elt called out."What about us? You're just gonna leave us?"
"Don't worry, I'll come back once it's all taken care of, so just sit down and wait for me to get back."
"Wait!", Sydney called out before sighing."Fine, You win. I don't want you to endanger yourself, but it looks like you'll do so regardless of my wishes. I'd much rather you at least go in prepared."
"Glad you finally understand.", I said as I came back and sat back down."So, what have you got?"
Our talk ended after a bit of information gathering from the whitehorns. Afterward, we were all sent to our own rooms in the inn and began to get ready for bed. First, though, we would take baths in the hot springs in the back. It had a section for men, women, and mixed baths, allowing us to at least have privacy amongst our own sexes.
Let's review my new plan of action. First thing tomorrow, I would be heading back up north to the entrance to the Ice Queen's domain. No one knows why the Ice Queen is doing any of this, but my goal is to find her, inquire about it, and if she refuses to stop, neutralize her.
Along the way, I will be attacked by Glacies who use Demonic Cold to freeze people's hearts and make them yearn for sex. It's also said that merely bing in the presence of the Ice Queen can freeze one's heart, so I'll need to figure out a way to counteract this phenomenon. I'm going to need to stay on my toes and take out any attackers before they can essentially incapacitate any of us, including Anastasia. She may be immune to normal cold, but not Demonic Cold. I tried to get them to stay here, but they both refused for their own reasons, wanting to accompany me regardless. After the talk, my Pip-Boy beeped to signify the start of a new quest.
Frozen Hearts
}Find a way inside the Ice Queen's domain.
I went ahead and digitized all of my Elite Riot Gear, including my helmet and gas mask. Looking at myself, I glanced over all the scars I had and began to wrap them up in a bunch tight-fitting bandages. I'd rather not everyone start asking why I've got a massive cut going up my stomach and sternum, around my neck, down my back and back up to the back of my head.
After thoroughly wrapping myself up, I grabbed a provided towel to cover my nether regions and began to make my way to the bath. Along the way, though, I was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Oh my, what happened to your body!?", I heard a female voice call. Turning around, I saw Anastasia looking at me with a look of shock. It seemed that she had taken off all of her clothes, only being covered by a towel, and was planning on flashing me, but was caught off guard by my overly-bandaged body.
"You don't wanna know.", I responded before continuing to the baths. Anastasia began to float alongside me as I walked, seemingly given up on trying to flash me and instead asked me another question.
"Six...have you ever been in love?", She asked as we walked.
"...Sure, though I was always too busy to act on it.", I answered before adding."Besides, it's too late now, anyways."
"Oh...I'm sorry.", Anastasia responded with a low tone of voice. She probably thought my love was dead, which was wrong. Veronica was still very much alive, but thanks to my actions with the NCR, we had a falling out of sorts and wouldn't be seeing each other again, likely ever.
"Don't be, it was my own fault and I've moved on.", I responded before we fell back in silence. Before we reached the baths, though, she spoke up again.
"I'm worried, Six.", she said, causing me to turn to her."I'm worried that my love for you may not be genuine. Is it all just in my head? Is it all the fault of my mamono nature?"
"Look, I can't exactly answer that for you since I'm not you.", I told her before explaining."I don't feel how you feel, but what I will tell you is that love is built up through time spent with someone. While your love may have been impulsive and disingenuous back in those woods, I would think we've spent enough time together now for you to come to a somewhat better conclusion about me."
"So you're saying I can trust these feelings of mine?", she asked.
"That's up to you. You've spent enough time with me now. What do you think of me, honestly?", I asked her, to which she began to think.
"I think…I need to think about this.", she responded.
"Sure, take your time.", I said before adding."It's of no consequence to me anyway."
With that, we separated and went into our own sides of the bath. Inside, there was only one other person. Elt, who was lounging in the bath with his head staring at the starry night sky.
"It's pretty nice, isn't it?", I asked as I got into the hot bath as quickly as I could, not wanting to stay out in the cold, open air too long.
"Good God, what happened to your body, Six!?", Elt exclaimed as he looked at my bandaged body.
"Bad stuff that you don't need to know about, Elt.", I responded simply before relaxing myself, allowing the hot water to massage my tense muscles and stiff joints. I'm going to be honest, while things in this world have been pretty hit-or-miss so far, the hot baths are fucking stellar. Yeah, I finally was able to get hot water running in The Sink's shower with the help of the talking sink, the personality matrix, but that is nothing compared to an honest-to-God hot spring.
"Hey, Six? How do you do it?", Elt asked out of nowhere. And there goes my night of pure relaxation.
"How do I do what, Elt?", I asked for clarification.
"How do you work so...seamlessly with monsters?", he asked.
"Elaborate.", I said.
"Well, like today. Once we figured out that Yeti meant no harm, you immediately switched gears. You started acting as if she wasn't a monster at all.", he elaborated."And again, with those Whitehorns, you talked with them and worked with them as if they weren't monsters."
"Well, I'd first like to point out that those girls you mentioned all have names, use them.", I told him before continuing,"Secondly, so what if they are monsters? As long as they're not trying to rape me or rip me limb from limb, they're fine by me."
"But that's the thing, it does matter.", Elt said before adding,"They're monsters, Six! They may seem human, but that's all a ruse."
"And who told you that, the Chief God? The priests of the Order?", I asked him before speaking up again, not waiting for an answer."I've got news for you, Elt. They may act differently then us, but they are still intelligent creatures. They think, feel, and live just like we do, even if their priorities are different. They may not all be paragons of virtue, but that also doesn't mean they are all sex-crazed animals. They may be called monsters, but if that truly was the case, then humans would be the cruelest monsters of all." At that, Elt was quiet for a bit before finally speaking up again in a low tone of voice.
"I want to tell you you're wrong. To kill you for spreading blasphemous ideas.", Elt said before adding,"But I just can't bring myself to disagree with you. Does this make me a heretic? Does the good things I've seen and heard today from monsters I once thought as my enemies make me an enemy to the Chief God?"
"If you have to constantly question whether or not your own benevolent God loves you every time you learn something new about the world, then maybe your God isn't a benevolent one after all.", I said before finishing my bath and standing up to leave."I'm going to bed. Make sure you get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day.
With the only response I got being a nod, I dried myself off and turned to leave the baths and head back up to my room. The mission to bring down the Ice Queen begins at dawn.