Kendra sat at a small, round, table in the room, with Bo patiently listening; sitting just opposite of her.
Bo, Kendra knew, was really her competition, but not only did Kendra need Bo's advice, the lines of who were her enemies, or friends were blurred to hell. Her mind was numb, as she hid her face from Bo, and the world behind her hands, hunched over with her elbows on the table.
Bo observed the exasperated human at her wits end. She was frozen with no clear direction, and unsure of where to go. Bo was also keenly aware, that Kendra didn't have any weapons on her either, which was a first, because Bo knew that Kendra required that extra edge when dealing with Fae, which included her. In a roundabout way, Bo was actually flattered that Kendra asked her for help, since it meant that she was a friend.
Kendra tried her best to relay how badly she wronged Mia, all the way, to messing up with not committing to Dyson earlier. She lamented on how she was a self-centered, control freak that didn't know how to give up control, or how to trust someone else.
"Love….." Kendra droned out, "Was staring me in the face the whole time Bo. But no, I was too fucking stuck up, and proud, that I could best any sniper, and slaughter shifters like no tomorrow. Too proud to let Eric drive our relationship. Too fucking stupid to let Dyson in. They were …. Excuses…. To keep my reality in check, and under control. I'm losing it Bo. No matter HOW hard I try, Tamsin was right. Control is an illusion."
Kendra paused, resumed, but dropped her hands, and looked out the window behind Bo, as she just kept on confessing, "Now, I found out that Mia likes me even after all the shit I put her through. And when I mean likes me. I mean … shit. I didn't even see this crap coming. Some great, white owl, animal guide I have."
"Mia likes you, how so?" Bo asked, softly taking a sip of water, topping off Kendra's glass as well, from the large water bottle at the side of the table.
"She wants to be intimate with me and... and I CAN'T. Crap Bo. I was looking for her after she yelled, and smacked some sense into me earlier. I went to apologize, only to find her in the sauna, pleasuring herself, and calling out for me. I'm with DYSON," Kendra leaned back, and looked up to the ceiling shaking her head. "It can't get any weirder than this Bo."
Dyson was curled up in the corner, popped his head up, and whimpered, tilting his head, since his name was called.
Bo suppressed a laugh at Dyson's reaction, but now understood why Kendra wanted to be able to seduce Mia, but confirmed by asking in a casual manner, "So you want to give yourself to her, out of the guilt that you made a mistake with her."
"Yes… but I can't give everything to her. I need to keep it for Dyson," Kendra finally glanced down in embarrassment. "If I give her a little, it may make our relationship WORSE because she can't have all of me."
Bo thought about this, and quickly replied with a tight smirk, "You have to offer what you can, and make it clear to Mia beforehand. Give her the choice. I assume you want to give her a friends with benefits status?"
Kendra nodded.
Mia, Bo mused, was already hers. No wonder Mia's aura was mixed with both negative, and positive emotions, when they were talking at the party earlier. All Kendra really had to do was to present herself to Mia with the right moves, and Mia would take it the rest of the way.
"And Dyson? I just can't ask him if it's ok. You know Bo, even in this state, he is still kind of there. He may not be able think about the complex ramifications as it deals with our relationship, but he sure will be able to when he shifts back. From what I hear, he was very possessive of you," Kendra noted, leaning forward to at least try to prevent Dyson from hearing.
"Be open with him, if you DO plan to allow Mia in. Let him be there in the room. If he is there all the time, it will show you have nothing to hide. As for Dyson being possessive of me, yes, he was, but it looks like he changed," Bo smiled, petting Dyson, who had gotten up to sit by her side.
"True. But there is no telling if he will go 'Cujo' on Mia either in a jealous rage," Kendra stated, matter of fact. "Bo…. Just… just… I have to get to Mia in the next hour, or so…. I will probably lend her Dyson's flat, since she will be with the 39th. We will be spending a week, or less together to transfer my duties fully to her."
Bo nodded, and let her speak. She knew this was a really hard topic to broach.
Kendra looked away, scared of the unknown stuttering, "I just need options Bo. I can't say that I will engage her…. But…. But I don't know HOW. I'm Dyson's … and I… I don't go to the same parties as you."
Bo slowly, and gingerly, put her hand over Kendra's, across from her, comforting her, and softly reassured, "Kendra. Take it easy. I'm not going to go horizontal with you, unless you are totally ok with it. So, you just want me to tell you how to engage her, even though you may not be into her?"
Kendra did a very slight, but nervous nod.
Bo then murmured, clarifying, "You can't FORCE a relationship. Mia will know. You also can't just throw yourself at her, because she will know it is a pity frack."
Kendra looked to Bo's hand on top of hers, and knew she was right, but finally slowly revealed, "I need to fix US Bo to the best extent possible, and if I have to give more than I'm comfortable with, then I am willing to go there."
Bo just smiled, "TAKE the guilt out of the equation, and give her another chance."
"I am," Kendra stated, annoyed.
"NO," Bo shot back, gripping her hand more tightly, "You need to FORGIVE yourself first for wronging her, THEN let your guilt go. ASK for her forgiveness, and no matter the outcome, GIVE her a new slate. In time, even if she doesn't forgive you, she will come around eventually. OK?"
Kendra just nodded in disappointment. She knew what Bo was proposing was more of a long winding road, but it could work. It was just that she needed to fix it fast, but it looked like there was no such thing.
Bo saw the disappointment in Kendra's posture, and added, "Did she detect you while she was pleasuring herself?"
"No."
Bo finally offered, "If Mia had the hots for you, and doesn't know that you know, you can accelerate the healing of your platonic relationship at the very least."
Kendra looked up to Bo, and immediately pounced, mentioning seriously, "HOW?"
Bo chuckled, and leaned back, finally letting go of Kendra's hand, "All you have to do is be more touchy, feely with her as a friend. Not only will doing the actions, slightly forced get her the attention she craves, your feelings will automatically follow. Listen to her, and try to be her best friend. It will be a little weird at first, but sooner, or later your feelings, and actions will be genuine. Just do LEGAL, friendly touching ok?"
"That's it?" Kendra asked, considering it. It was pretty ingenious. She still didn't like Mia, but performing the requisite actions, will change her feelings down the road. The bonus being she wouldn't have to go at Mia in a sexual way.
"Well, you could also try to show her more of you, in terms of your insecurities and such. You put up a good front, and it's hard to approach you, when you are the impregnable fortress. Also on a physical level, show more of yourself. Not in a slutty way, but a little more skin, will probably drive her mad, but be careful to not over-do it," Bo warned. "She just might lose control, and ravage you."
"Yea, that is what I'm afraid of," Kendra flared her brows.
"Kendra, I know this is hard for you, but if you do get to the benefits status stage, again, let her know upfront your limitation, but most of all, LET HER DRIVE," Bo relayed, hoping she would get it. "She will know how to treat you given parameters. That requires an immense amount of trust between you two."
"OK. Makes sense," Kendra slumped in her chair. "No idea how I will explain this to Dyson in his wolf form, if it ever happens.
"Well," Bo smirked looking at Dyson face to face. Bo nuzzled her head to Dyson's, stoking his back while continuingly talking to Kendra, "We can find out right now."
"Huh?" Kendra looked at Bo, bending down hugging Dyson.
Bo smoothly asked, "Dyson? Would you be really mad if Kendra, and I made out right here, right now?"
Kendra raised her hands to cover her face, and shook her head. Not only could Dyson not respond, but a question remained about how much he actually understands. Granted, he seemed to understand her well, but it was more so the fact that she could not believe that Bo was still willing to help her in that way. She was also really self-conscious about this whole situation.
Dyson looked confused.
Bo just continued murmuring to the Dire Wolf, "I would own her, but I promise to be nice."
Dyson tilted his head, still looking confused.
"God Bo," Kendra stammered out, feeling nervous about the mounting tension. "THIS is soooo awkward." She still had the question of how much Dyson actually understood.
Bo finally asked face to face with Dyson, "Think about it Dyson. Your WILDEST dreams will come true. BOTH of your life mates making up; Making LOVE, burying the hatchet, and solidifying a lasting friendship. Then I will teach her all the things that will drive you mad in bed, once you shift back. I PROMISE."
Dyson then sat up straight, and whimpered, licking his lips, with his tail wagging away.
'Figures,' Kendra mused to herself, 'It seems that when it came to sex, he was pretty much there, or so it seemed. She guzzled down her water looking about the room for something stronger, when Bo handed her a flask she hid in her boot.
Kendra was quick to uncap it, and downed a caustic shot. Bo was driving this deal, and she just gave up. She needed to trust that Bo was her friend, and ally.
"And Dyson?" Bo cooed to the wolf, "She needs to give Mia a friends with benefit status too JUST like me. YOU are still her one, and only life mate, and is keeping some things only you can have."
Dyson looked confused again tilting his head.
Bo turned to Kendra and asked, "What are you reserving for Dyson only?"
Kendra took another big gulp from the flask, and finally mentioned, looking down to the table in disbelief, "I'm a virgin. Only Dyson is allowed to ... ummm... ummm penetrate … me."
Bo didn't comment on Kendra, knowing how hard this was for her, and went on petting Dyson; and just built on what Kendra just stated, "See Dyson. She's keeping her flower in bloom only for you. Not Mia, or even myself will ever get that."
Dyson tilted his head to the other side and his tail wagged tentatively.
Kendra knew Dyson, deep down, was having a problem with this or was at least not following. Bo WAS his life mate, so that was a no brainer to get the benefits status but Mia? She then observed that Bo whispered something into Dyson's ear, which made him jump up, and bow to Bo, shooting off, running in circles around the room, like an excited puppy dog.
As this was going on, Bo was laughing lightly.
Kendra finally sternly asked Bo, with Dyson whizzing about the room, "WHAT did you tell him?" She had to know, because secrets were not to be kept between her, and Dyson, especially if they came from a former lover.
Bo finally stood up, and told her casually with her eyes still following Dyson, "I told him that IF, and ONLY IF you allow it. When he shifts back, he can have both of us, together."
"OH MY GOD BO!" Kendra shot up out of her chair shocked, and blurted out, "I am having ENOUGH issues with you getting in between us… fuck! And … and SHIT…."
Kendra took a big gulp again, with a burning sensation, registering on her face. "I have NO freaking idea if I can go through with learning the ropes from you. I don't play the same sports you play."
Bo slowly brought Kendra into a light hug, knowing full well that this was really hard for her. She finally said, stroking her back, letting her know softly, "Crap, I'm sorry Kendra, for suggesting something that can't be delivered, but I am with Tamsin. She is MARRIED to me, and we have each other's hearts. I promised nothing to Dyson. You are still in control since it will only happen IF you are ok with it. It was the mere suggestion that helped him over the edge. Also, we only will go as far as you want Kendra."
"I… I don't know. Even then, I have no idea if Dyson really understood what you meant," Kendra stammered out.
Dyson finally calmed down, and nudged Kendra's leg to be acknowledged.
Kendra broke the hug, and knelt down before Dyson, and hugged him, requesting of Bo, "Can I have a moment with Dyson?"
Bo just nodded, and mentioned, "I'll be right outside."
As soon as the door closed, Kendra hugged her dire wolf, and stated, "Dyson. I hope you can understand me. I am so sorry for many things. If you ever disagree, just growl at me, and it will stop. I am your life mate, no matter what the council says, and I accept it now whole heartedly. I love you, and I am honored that you chose me, a human, to be your equal."
Dyson licked Kendra's face, and did a soft bark which sounded like concurrence, but needed to test it out.
Kendra strode over, and opened the door, letting Bo in.
Without a word, Kendra backed Bo into a wall as their lips closed on one another. Kendra clapped her eyes shut, forcing herself forward, when Bo gently brought her about, so that her back was now to the wall, and Bo was closing in.
Kendra wanted so much to push her back. She needed room. What was happening, was against her nature.
Bo saw her aura, her rigid posture, and decided to coach her more whispering, "I have the same status as Mia don't I? You don't prefer to be close to either of us, and we are your enemy in a way. Not only that, you want to be in control at all times."
Kendra just nodded quickly, with her eyes still closed. She felt Bo's heat radiating from her, and she felt like she was the prey for once. She was never the prey.
Bo knew how she felt, and added, "Let them have control. TRUST that they will do the right thing. Especially in an area you aren't experienced in. RELAX Kendra, BUT communicate. TELL ME what you need. ASK."
Kendra finally blurted out, feeling her cheek next to Bo's, "SHIT! I me some space!"
"Ask nicely. It's ok to be vulnerable. Pretended I am Dyson. How would you ask," Bo whispered huskily into Kendra ear.
Kendra reformulated, and finally pleaded with tepidness lining her voice, "Please. I…. I need space. Be gentle on me Bo. This is... is my first time with you."
Bo smirked, and backed up, knowing the Kendra was picking this up quickly, "Better?"
Kendra had some room to breathe finally, and opened her eyes. Bo was just an arm's length away.
Dyson was in the corner curled up but observing them.
Kendra nodded, and Bo added in a casual manner, "Now just call me Mia ok? COMMUNICATE to me GENTLY. Mia won't know your boundaries if you don't speak. Got it?"
Kendra nodded once more, filled with apprehension. She had no idea how she could do this, but decided to try one more time. From the looks of it, Dyson was ok with it.
Bo slowly closed the distance once more, and Kendra put her hand on Bo's chest to slow her down, but asked, "Please Mia. Slowly."
It took a couple minutes, but finally Kendra's, and Bo's lips met for the first time, and it didn't have anything to do with feeding.
Kendra closed her eyes on the kiss, and then in a hushed tone admitted, "Mia, please. I do want this. Be patient with me."
For Kendra, this was a lie about wanting this, but she followed it up by hugging Bo like she did. It was a little forced, but at least she had the space she needed.
Bo continued the pecks on her lips, followed by pecks on her cheek. Slow and easy. Bo knew that Kendra was trying really hard to make it work.
Finally Kendra whispered into Bo's ear confessing, "Mia. Please forgive me for fucking up, and slandering your good name. I should have known better."
Bo responded in kind, "Kendra, of course I forgive you. You listened to your superiors, and I would have done the same, had the roles been reversed."
Kendra finally relayed softly, "Mia, you are a skilled, strong, smart, and beautiful woman, but I… I am committed already to Dyson. I can't give you everything."
"I know Kendra. I know. How can I help you keep your commitments to Dyson?" Bo asked huskily, as Kendra finally kissed her back on the lips again.
Again, it was a little forced, but Bo was talented, giving her the space she desperately needed. Oddly enough, Bo didn't use any of her powers to help her relax.
"Please don't penetrate me, but besides that, I am yours," Kendra whispered, barely audible into Bo's ear.
"Sure," Bo smirked, mid-kiss, knowing that Kendra got the hang of it, stoking her bare back underneath her shirt.
Bo had never been with Kendra in this way before, and she could feel her strong defined muscles on her toned stomach. Like Tamsin, Kendra was a warrior through, and through.
Kendra finally broke the kiss with Bo, and glanced over to Dyson, who was just snoozing, lightly curled into a ball.
"Well Bo, it seems that Dyson is ok with us," Kendra laughed nervously.
"Yea. I guess so," Bo furrowed her brows chuckling along, glancing at a peacefully sleeping wolf.
They were still in a hug when Bo offered changing topics, "Hey, now that Dyson is out cold, do you need a quick VERBAL rundown of what makes Dyson tick… in bed."
"I'd like that," Kendra smiled genuinely. It was really kind of Bo to give up 'trade secrets' after all.
Lauren was exhausted, and plopped down into a seat in the make shift reception area post wedding.
She was helping with the clean-up, along with the rest of her team.
Trick walked up, and sat down next to her, all the while, Arin skipping around the table jubilantly.
Trick, finally in a serious, but low tone, leaned over, and whispered to Lauren, "Too much sugar does that to kids, and apparently little Valkyries too."
Lauren huffed out a laugh, "My insulin production centers are not only in shock, but they have been exhausted hours ago."
"Yeah! My sister, the LEGENDARY, missing Valkyrie is now hitched, and fully bonded to the Goddess of the New Order!" Arin sang out. "All the power is mi…ine! The power is mi…ine!"
Trick chuckled, and Lauren snickered, as the skipping, young Valkyrie continued sing as if on a playground, "Odin is my da… ad. Odin is my da… ad!"
"Oh boy," Lauren replied, nudging Trick playfully, "Talk about a choice of father figures."
"The blood king is my grandda….ad …. And you can't stop me! Nanny nanny boo boo!"
"Well at least she's got a good one there," Lauren giggled.
Trick just did an eye roll.
Arin abruptly stopped in front of Trick, and asked exuberantly, "If Tamsin, Bo, Odin, and the other Gods can't stop Ragnarok, and the end of the world from coming true, you can WRITE it out of existence right?"
Trick just hesitantly responded, "Arin, it's not that easy."
"So it's a YES! Please please please… I gotta know!" The impatient Valkyrie stomped, and pouted, just like Tamsin.
Lauren then whispered into Trick's ear, "You'd better say yes, or else, she won't stop pestering you."
Trick just threw his arms up, and murmured, "I guess so."
"YEAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Arin screamed in delight, running about the open room. "Just like Lauren told me! THE PEN, IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD!"
"It seems that Arin looks up to you Lauren," Trick mentioned, as both were trying to keep track of her as she ran around skillfully, doing acrobatics, consisting of back and forward flips in the open area, while avoiding the other people cleaning up.
Lauren just added casually, "Well she seems to have an unjaded, and almost innocent view of the world. And to think Tamsin had this sort of innocence as well."
Trick laughed, "That is hard to imagine, Tamsin like this."
"Yes, and it's hard to imagine that Bo, is now married to someone the total opposite of her. I guess opposites attract after all. Amazing," Lauren concluded.
Trick dead panned to Lauren, and added, "It takes an even more amazing person to let Bo go."
Lauren looked over to Trick, beaming at the compliment, and held his hand in unspoken lucidity.
Arin skillfully somersaulted onto a bare table, and pretended to hold up a microphone, singing in near perfect pitch, an old REM song.
It's the end of the world as we know it,
It's the end of the world as we know it,
It's the end of the world as we know it,
And I feel fine.
Lauren, and Trick enjoyed the impromptu performance, rocking back, and forth, in unabated laughter.
Lauren knew that Arin's skills at combat were developing quickly judging by her agility. She pulled off every flip and twist perfectly.
Lauren thought, then opened up the flashlight app on her phone, and held it high. "More!" she yelled.
Arin, like a professional rock star, continued dancing, and singing, as everyone, including the staff, was gawking at her in amazement, since she had a great stage presence.
That's great, it starts with an earthquake
Birds and snakes, an aeroplane, Lenny Bruce is not afraid
Eye of the hurricane, listen to yourself churn
World serves its own needs, don't mis-serve your own needs…..
Tamsin let Bo do her thing with Kendra, and strolled over to the balcony, that overlooked the curved staircase.
She was a little worried however, since Bo told her to pack for an unannounced day trip to Valhalla, after the tribunal. Bo was really worried about her not being around, that it made her anxious to find out exactly happened, and how to avoid it.
FATE was just that. FATE. It was immutable but, Bo always believed that even fate yielded to her, to some degree. It was ridiculously cute, and stubborn of her, even Tamsin was enamored by that trait. It was odd now going back home.
Granted Odin didn't want to kill her anymore, but how will everyone else treat her, the Missing Valkyrie, and Bo, the supposed Goddess of the New Order?
Valkyries were so comfortable with tradition, Bo and Tamsin, were now rallying against it, in the background. Wars were fought to keep the status quo, and Tamsin wasn't going to start one.
It was even rumored, via the link, that about the time Bo, and her were visiting, was about the same time Thor, the God of Thunder, was returning from his most recent conquest.
Thor was Odin's son, and technically had the throne to both Asgard and Valhalla. What bothered her, and the Valkyries in the kingdom, was that Thor, more often than not, caused trouble in his wake. Odin sometimes left Valhalla with a large contingent of Valkyries, ever so often, to clean up his mess, Tamsin included.
Why was Odin set to transfer his powers to Bo, even though Thor was older, and was a true god as oppose to a demigod like Bo? Tamsin had NO IDEA.
Was Bo's alter ego just assuming she had the power, and the right to the throne, to both Valhalla, and the 9 other realms, which included the central Kingdom of Asgard? Tamsin still had yet to figure it out.
If Bo did rule over 9 kingdoms as herself, and not her alter ego, would she be a good leader? Would she even accept it? The fate of the entire universe, including earth, would be in Bo's hands.
Bo was a commoner, a human, who just so happened to be a succubus, and not the other way around.
"SHIT, I really do need a shot. No, maybe a bottle, or 2," Tamsin grumbled to herself, resting her head on the railing, since her head was spinning.
It was then Kara, and Jason came out from the other end of the hall. Kara locked her arm around Jason, and the rough, and tough Jason, looked like he enjoyed every second of it.
"That was fucking off the hook, and wild, in a Draconian way Kay Kay," Jason chuckled.
Kara cackled, and stroked his arm, "Any time, now you be a BAD boy when I am gone OK, and I PROMISE to come back, and punish you."
"I will. You do the same," Jason smirked maniacally.
"Yep. Will you be mad if I accidentally fuck some hung heroes, before I bring them to the hall, Bugs?" Kara questioned, returning the mischievous smile.
"Come back to me, and you'll see, double K," Jason roared out in laughter.
'OMG Kara!' Tamsin thought out to her, 'You have PET names for each other?'
Then it dawned on Tamsin. Kara, and Jason were falling madly in love with one another. They just didn't know it.
Kara looked up at Tamsin, and hailed her from down the hall, "There you are sister! Hey Odin calls. Gotta run, and Jason needs to heal from me doing ... emmm"
"No," Jason nudged her cutting in, "What Kay Kay here meant to say is, she needs to go back, and heal a little before her next mission, and encounter, with me later. I was testing her flexibility limits. Hard. REALLY hard."
"Oh NOT TRUE Bugs Bunny! The only thing hard on you, I took care of. MANY, MANY times, AND I never even needed to touch it, stroker ace," Kara paraded about, with pride.
"Not when I ripped off your dress, and slammed my large caliber …" Jason responded, but Tamsin cut in meeting at the stairs.
"Enough PLEASE!" Tamsin yelped, clapping her hands over her ears, trying to un-see images of what they were describing.
"Kara, can I have a word with you please?" Tamsin asked.
Kara knew that by Tamsin asking verbally, and saying please, meant that it was important.
"Sure," Kara looked a little unsure, since she didn't know what was going to be asked of her. "Hey Bugs, I'll catch up with you in a sec. OK?"
Jason didn't even say a word, and swept Kara into a deep kiss.
Kara was all smiles, as Jason told her that he'll wait outside for her.
"Holy cow, you guys got it bad," Tamsin murmured to Kara, as soon as Jason left.
Kara straightened up, and said, back to her regular self, "Naaaa, we're just having fun. We have a very open relationship."
"Whatever," Tamsin replied with an eye roll.
"So sister? Crap. Tamsin what is it?" Kara asked, but found it odd, she was calling Tamsin her sister.
Tamsin knew being called 'sister' from Kara was out of character for her, but she allowed it. In a way, she was flattered.
"So Bo wants to get more information on the Sea of Fae premonitions, and now that she is kind of ok with her dad not wanting to kill me, she wants to plan a little day trip tomorrow, after the tribunal. The problem being…. Emmm…"
"Thor," Kara, and Tamsin, replied at the same time.
"RE-schedule it!" Kara said in a demanding tone.
"I can't. Bo wants answers NOW," Tamsin mentioned, annoyed. "You know that succubus. Stubborn like a mule."
"Do you know how DANGEROUS it is to have Bo, and Thor in the same room, not to mention YOU?!" Kara held Tamsin at shoulder length, to make her understand the gravity of the situation.
"Yea. I know. He is the son of Odin, the thunder god with a real claim to the throne of all 9 kingdoms, including Valhalla," Tamsin noted, in an aloof manner.
"Fuck Tamsin! This is a bad idea. REALLY bad. I know Thor. I slept with him, and hung out with him several times. He's a narcissistic a-hole who thinks he was born to be worshiped by WOMEN. He treats us all like crap and Bo. Shiiiiiiiiit… Thor doesn't even acknowledge her existence, since she had a lowly succubus slut mother," Kara just didn't give up. "Don't DO THIS!"
Kara had no idea why she actually care about Tamsin, but guessed that Tamsin was growing on her.
Tamsin pushed Kara back, and stated, "THAT is why I am asking YOU. If by chance Thor shows up on time, AND Bo is stubborn enough to go tomorrow evening, I need to know HOW to prepare. You know his weaknesses."
Kara just laughed, "Just keep a mirror on you."
"Huh?" Tamsin cocked her head to the side.
"Yea, if you get in a fight, just use the mirror, and Thor would stop fighting, and fall in love with himself," Kara mentioned sarcastically.
Tamsin was not impressed, "No SERIOUSLY Kara. Please. Bo, and I need this."
Kara finally sighed, and leaned against the railing, "Make sure Bo feeds really well. Bo will need to strike first, and strike hard. Hopefully she will be in her alter ego state. You will know when to pull out the big guns, when he spits on the floor, and gets into your personal space. Don't kill him, but Bo had better be powerful enough to make him think twice. As for you. Ask Bo to lift the thrall…"
"Huh? What thr…." Tamsin asked, but then remembered, that she was still under Bo's thrall effect, which did limit her emotional ups, and downs, but more so her power in addition.
"SHIT," Tamsin confessed, "I forgot I was under a thrall. Bo has given me so much freedom while in the thrall, that I don't even think about it anymore."
"Then lift it. You need your full reflexes, and power," Kara stated.
"No. I gave that to Bo as a gift. Not only that, I have been training with it, and I can use my powers without going totally ballistic, and killing everyone," Tamsin replied.
Kara finally said, her hand twirling her bangs, "I was a skeptic that you could leverage your measly powers, until you took me down so quickly, even without the xanther rune. You need it, and Thor is not one to be trifled with. The only way I will engage Thor, is if he puts a ring on my finger to marry me."
Tamsin huffed out a laugh, since Kara made a joke. It was rare, but when it did happen, it took you by surprise.
Tamsin turned away, and rested her hands on the railing, surveying the floor below, and told her enemy, never looking at her, "Kara. I thralled myself to her, because I wanted so badly to kill anyone that dared to hurt my Bo, physically, or emotionally. Odin, Lauren, you name it. It only got worse as the bond got stronger. Bo, then fell in love with me, due to my patience, and temperament. If Bo takes away the thrall, and Thor goes head to head with her, with my enhanced powers, I WILL kill him. He may beg for mercy, but it will not stop me. Odin may wish me dead, but I will kill…. EVERYONE. Good, bad, ugly, human, Fae, god, or goddess. I know it to be true. I am a Valkyrie now with the sole purpose to keep Bo alive, and I am … am… afraid ... that I will lose control. I…. won't disappoint my partner."
Kara frowned, and oddly enough, she rubbed Tamsin's back. She found that now, that she was on her last life, she could somewhat empathize with Tamsin. It was really brave of her to share her insecurities to her, and now knew why Tamsin was in no hurry to reverse it. She also assumed that Bo, giving her plenty of latitude concerning the rules of the thrall, probably forgot about it too.
"You do know you may need some armor if you plan on going head to head with Thor, right," Kara finally replied.
"Yea right, I only have the standard plated chainmail, and even that may not stand up to Thor's hammer. Also showing up to dinner in more armor than the guards, is not the best idea," Tamsin clicked, leaning against the rails to face Kara again, with her elbows resting on it.
"I wasn't talking about what you have in your storage rooms on earth, or Valhalla, I was referring to the chainmail displayed in the underground rebirth chamber, and temple addition," Kara winked.
Tamsin could not believe what she just heard, and mentioned incredulously, "Oh my gods Kara. You are talking about the most HEAVILY GUARDED Temple, and Chamber in Valhalla; only SECOND to the Pool of Eternity! So what will I do? Walk up, and say… Hello, I'm Tamsin, will you let me try on the armor re-forged from Goredread's left over plates, swords, maces, and crossbows, made of the finest, and rarest material, for a spin! Are you FUCKING insane! Those are reserved for the return of the Missing Valkyr….."
Tamsin cut herself off. It was true. It was ASSUMED that one day, the missing Valkyrie would be reborn, and when that occurred, she would become 1,1,1 automatically, and would serve neither Freya or Odin. She would serve for the good of all. She forgot she WAS the Missing Valkyrie, and it was common knowledge by now, she just never considered herself worthy enough.
All the armor, and weapons in that room were all enchanted. No expense was spared, since the Missing Valkyrie was revered by almost the entire sisterhood. It was well known that other Valkyries willingly gave up their own magical items they cherished, so that one day, the Missing Valkyrie would touch them.
Kara cackled, "So you were saying? Walk up, and just say, Hello, I'm Tamsin, THE MISSING VALKRYIE, and this shit you're guarding is my STUFF. Fucking move already."
"I…. I don't know …" Tamsin said, a little confused staring at the floor.
Kara put her hand on Tamsin shoulder, getting ready to leave, "Wear the chainmail. It is thin, and light. It is said that is resists blunt force strikes, by turning some of the force back onto the wielder. Thor's hammer is also enchanted, and strikes from it will kill a human with one blow. Do it so you'll be around to see Bo take the throne. K?"
Tamsin nodded, but didn't know how to process all this.
"Hey," Kara changed topics, "Odin calls. I gotta go. But let me know when you plan to be there, and I think I may join in on owning Thor."
Tamsin locked onto Kara's blue eyes, and read her expression. She was being sincere about trying to back them up. Tamsin smiled at Kara, and concluded with a click, "It'll be a party. Thank you sister." Kara had finally earned the title of sister back from Tamsin.
Kara just nodded, and left.
Tamsin was curious about Bo, and Kendra, but then she heard Arin broken out in song. She quickly strode down the steps towards the singing.
Tamsin strolled into the back of the reception room alone, and smirked at her sister singing to REM. Arin, Tamsin knew, was having a blast with her new family; a family that would give Arin the biggest gift of all for a Valkyrie, a childhood.
She knew better than to interrupt this moment, and just watched her sister rock out to a captive audience who were all enamored by her.
Mia walked in as well, a short time later, and stood next to Tamsin in her lighter gear, which she wore at her precinct. She didn't know that Arin was such a good singer, and enjoyed the show.
Tamsin heard the refrain again, and oddly felt connected to its meaning.
It could possibly be the end of the world as she knew it, but she felt fine. FATE had a plan for her. Bo had plans for fate. Valhalla was about to erupt into chaos, and civil war. The Sea of Fae was in their near future.
All of it didn't matter.
She got Bo, and that was all that mattered. Tamsin was comforted in the glaring fact, that against what seamed insurmountable odds of them being together, they ended up here.
Married. Bonded partners for life.
That was all the miracles she needed, to move on without any regret.
As Kara mentioned, "Eternal life belongs to those that live in the present." It was true.
Mia was still deep in thought. She just bitch slapped Kendra, and was really nervous about what she wanted to see her about. Sure Kendra would find that she was right, but what then?
Kendra, Mia knew, was so god damn stubborn, and most of all, no one picked a fight with Kendra without consequences.
She feared that Kendra was vengeful at times, and didn't want to be on Kendra's black list. She still kind of had a thing for her.
She checked her Taser, and it was ready to go; so were her other weapons. Mia hated that she might very well get into a physical altercation with Kendra. She knew she could probably own Kendra in hand to hand, especially on the ground, but Kendra's reflexes, even the most rudimentary of weapons, or without, was outstanding. Her tactical decisions were quick, precise, and often times, ingenious. With her team, she was godlike.
How did Mia know?
She consistently reviewed all the videos of Kendra, and at times, the team in action on the street, mostly out of admiration, and to learn, but in the back of her mind, she knew that Kendra may compete against her one day.
Was today the day?
Bo had told Kendra everything about Dyson, and how he ticks, but noticed that she became aroused just thinking about it, especially her stories.
She was hungry, and never had sex with Kendra before, but didn't want to feed from her sexually, since she was still new to the 'game'.
Bo sat behind Kendra on the bed. Both still fully clothed, but Kendra was responding to Bo's comments on how Dyson took her and probably will take Kendra.
Bo just whispered seductively into Kendra's ear from behind, "Dyson likes to pin me on the wall, and lift me up, supporting me with his massive wolf. He loves a helpless prey, and likes to slam his hips into them, and split them in half."
Bo then wrapped her legs around Kendra's waist in a vice like grip, holding her in place.
Kendra just couldn't help herself, as one hand roamed under her shirt, while the other one shot down to her pants.
"He's being NICE to you now Kendra, but deep down, he wants to fuck your brains out. DOMINATE you. How do I know? He likes to bite the back of my neck, which for wolves, requires submission," Bo huskily mentioned, nipping the back of Kendra's neck.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" Kendra squealed with a mixture of rabid lust, and pain.
"Submit Kendra," Bo asked nicely. "Keep your life mate happy."
Kendra was still resisting, and doing her own thing.
Nip.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh fuck….. please… no….." Kendra begged in the throes of lust.
"You need to GIVE Kendra. SUBMIT only to him, and NO ONE else," Bo growled, with another harder nip, to the back of Kendra's neck.
"Fuuuuuck!" Kendra yelped, and resisted, trying fruitlessly to crest. Her clothing was getting in the way.
"If you don't, like I did a couple times, he will rip your clothing off like a barbarian, and bind you for being a bad … BAD… life mate. You don't want that do you?" Bo warned, nipping her again on the back of the neck even harder.
"I… I… Ahhhhh…." Kendra bucked, but realized that Bo held her top at the neck, ready to tear it off. Also she was quite literally restrained, in Bo's scissor like grip around her waist.
Bo restrained her more, pulling hard, on the neck of her shirt. A slight ripping sound was heard.
"Ugggg, FINE!" Kendra gave up pulling her top off followed by her bra.
Bo rewarded Kendra by planting kisses where she nipped, and kissed her shoulders, and upper back.
Bo never saw Kendra like this, and it was apparent by her very slight tan lines, that she never really showed anyone her body. Dyson was really lucky.
It also occurred to Bo, that Kendra was probably self-conscious, about all the scars she had on her person from combat, so she comforted her, and told her, "Dyson LOVES everything about you. The scars you have, just prove to him what a voracious warrior you are. An equal to him. YOU can dominate him, and I bet you do already, but there are times YOU have to switch roles."
Bo held Kendra in tightly again, and this time Kendra put up a modicum of resistance. She was submitting.
"God…. Oh god… please….." Kendra begged, finally yielding to Bo. She needed to crest badly.
"Communicate…. What do you need? Do this for Dyson, and Mia if needed," Bo reassured, her hands stroking Kendra arms, trying not to touch Kendra's more intimate parts.
"I…. PLEASE… I need to come Bo! Fuck! I miss Dyson so fucking much!" Kendra requested in a frenzy, pinching, and rolling her tips.
Dyson's ears perked up, but continued to closely survey the scene in a relaxed manner.
"OK," Bo released her leg grip, and just tersely asked, "Your pants?"
Kendra hopped off the bed, and pulled off her remaining garments impatiently, and rejoined Bo on the bed in the last hold where they left off.
Bo then cooed into Kendra ear, hugging her, "Go ahead and show Dyson how much you miss him."
Bo let her pleasure herself, and told her how Dyson would take her, "Dyson is a BEAST in bed. You submit because he will take you, and rapture you into sweet compliance, because he is a ladies man, with thousands of years of experience, and KNOWS how to fuck good girls like you. He especially likes virgins. That way he can take them, and make them come unexpectedly. Over, and over."
Kendra was close, as her own digits penetrated her with increasing speed.
Bo finally said, knowing full well that Kendra was ready to fall off the precipice, "Kendra, he knew how to handle me, a SUCCUBUS, as he slammed his massive wolf into me over, and over, into positions I only heard about. Hurting, and ripping me into an abyss if pleasure filling me up. God, he made me reach the stars several times in succession against my will, and he will do the same to you."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kendra yelled, looking at Dyson cresting harder than ever, not believing that Bo was helping her with her release.
Bo just held her, and kept her at her high shouting, "Better stretch before he takes you Kendra, or you won't be able to walk straight for DAYS."
"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! GOD Noooooooooooo!" Kendra mewed out, still releasing.
"His tongue will come next Kendra, and lap your arch, and tits afterwards, between cumming, that it'll feel like it never ended," Bo warned, holding Kendra in tighter.
Kendra just kept yelling for Dyson, bucking her hips wildly; who looked at her curiously, but did no action.
For some odd reason, Kendra just could not stop.
Bo finally fed from her from behind, taking a small sample of her chi. She really didn't want or need to, but it was small enough where it didn't weaken her.
Her taste was brute, and strong at first, but she also tasted Kendra's vulnerable side. She also, oddly enough, tasted her beautifully soft, and caring spirit, hidden away from all.
Kendra was finally on her way down totally spent, and Bo just relaxed her grip on her a little.
Kendra was still catching her breath, not knowing how the heck Bo was able make her strip, and crest, with just words. She had no idea her body missed Dyson that much.
Bo helped her lay back into bed, and covered her with a sheet, and said nothing.
Bo broke the awkwardness of the situation by taking a chair, and sitting down next to the bed, and joked, "I use to call Dyson the 'Big Bad Wolf' to Kenzi."
Kendra weakly chuckled, "Hmmm I think I got the big part."
"Well," Bo smiled broadly, "Bad…. He liked to 'surprise me' everywhere."
Kendra laughed, "Oh? I am so use to dictating the time, and the place."
"Well sometimes the person submitting, is the one in control. Just think about it," Bo replied, looking ready to get up, and leave.
"So does he like to huff, and puff, and blow the house down too?" Kendra jokingly asked.
"Well," Bo held her chin in thought, "not house, but my sundress."
Kendra rolled over on her side to face Bo, laughing away.
Bo's cheeks turned bright red, performing an eye roll, and clarified, "In a secluded part of a park, thank god."
Kendra finally sat up, and swung her legs out of the bed.
Bo stood up ready to go, and 'get to know Tamsin better' since she was still turn on, but realized that Kendra had reached for the waistband of her tight leather pants, and yanked her towards her.
"uh… uh Kendra?" Bo asked, feeling a little uncomfortable, "What are you doing?"
Kendra had an evil smile, and popped the button of Bo's ultra-tight, leather pants.
Bo was confused, since Kendra's aura didn't match one of love making. She did feel drafty, and cold, when her zipper reached the end of its track.
Bo pulled back, trying not to get exposed, as Kendra, like a lioness on the hunt, shimmied her leather pants down.
Kendra was face to face with Bo's clear cut field, but felt Bo pull back. She was quick to sweep her, and redirect her onto the bed.
Kendra prowled towards her prey, and growled, "I wanna know what Dyson sees in you. I want a test drive. NOW take off your top, Bo."
Bo resisted, but Kendra's ground skills made quick handy work of her boot, pants, and dagger.
Bo relented, and pulled her blouse top over her head, and Kendra yanked off her bra forcefully as soon as Bo unbuckled it.
Bo took over, and tackled Kendra mid move, and fisted Kendra by the hair, and pulled her back into the bed, growling harshly, "And I NEVER freaking gave you permission to take MY life mate!"
Kendra reversed the move, and had Bo on the bed again, fisting her hair.
Bo was still trying to figure out Kendra's end game, since it wasn't sex, but just complied pretending to be helpless, "Please be gentle with a babe Fae succubus."
Kendra just did an uncomfortable laugh, and let Bo go, and rolled off of her, but stayed to her side. Kendra's left hand, traced Bo's body ever so gently, as if being explored timidly.
Bo didn't say a word, but knew her end game, as Kendra swirled her hand around her breasts, and down to her temple. Kendra was getting increasingly jealous by her aura alone, even though she had on a perfect smiling poker face.
Now that Kendra had a scenic, and close-up lay of the land, she could not believe that THIS was what she was up against. Granted she was Dyson's life mate, but SHIT. Bo was some serious competition. In this case, as it pertained to her, it was no competition.
Kendra just mentioned coolly, "God damn, Bo. Tamsin is so effing lucky. You are… are… incredible… your body is … shit…."
Bo stopped her, and grabbed her in close, covering both of them with the sheet.
"STOP IT Kendra! STOP!" Bo ordered, barking into Kendra face just inches away, "Dyson WANTS you PERIOD. Do you understand me?"
Kendra was shocked at Bo's power. Bo didn't look like she had much strength, but the firm way she was gripped told her otherwise.
Bo finally relented, and let Kendra go, and confessed, "Do you think I like being a succubus?"
Kendra didn't know how to answer that, but it was a rhetorical question.
Bo looked away, and in defeat told the ceiling, "It's a curse Kendra. It may not sound like it, but if I had the choice to be an ordinary human gal, I would take it. That way, I can be like you. Wait, and save myself for mister or miss right, but instead I'm just misdirected. I need to feed to stay alive, and that means sex too. I told Tamsin I only wanted to feed from her, but even she knows that a succubus has to sleep around. I'm not really Bo, the unaligned succubus, goddess of the new order, but really, I'm just Bo, the home-wrecking succubus. I can't stay monogamous Kendra, and it hurts me to know that I have to feed from others, even though they aren't mine."
Kendra knew this talking was coming, and just told her, "I know shifters more thoroughly than they know themselves. I've done enough research to become so. When Dyson gave you his wolf, it is permanent. Now that I have that status, I just keep thinking that one day, Dyson will have to heal you, and he'll be all yours. Body, and mind. He'll then just … leave me."
Bo didn't know Kendra was this insecure, but now, she at least knew what she had to fix.
Bo looked over to Dyson who was lightly napping, "He knows who his life mate is Kendra. You. He may have gotten confused after our run in with the Aswangs, but he still came back to you."
Kendra just rebutted, "But he has to fight tooth, and nail to remember."
Bo looked at her and solemnly noted, "LOVE is not EASY Kendra. You know that. We all know that. There is no happily ever after, but LOVE is worth fighting for. D-man is still fighting for you, even now."
Kendra finally asked, "Would you make a couple changes for me as it pertains to Dyson? It would help me cope better with this."
"OK," Bo nodded, "What is it?"
"Feed from everyone else FIRST, before feeding from Dyson. That includes me," Kendra requested formally.
"Kendra, I may hurt you if I am seriously injured," Bo said with concern.
"I know, but at least I know you won't be jumping D-man's bones first," Kendra replied.
"I could kill you Kendra," Bo finally mentioned, being blunt.
"You won't. Tamsin has the upmost faith in you, and so do I," Kendra noted with a smile.
"OK. Done. Anything else?" Bo asked, stoking Kendra's bare back under the sheets.
"If you feed from Dyson without me there, I want to know from you. I know Dyson will tell me, but at least if you tell me, I won't feel like you are hiding things from me," Kendra maintained.
"OK," Bo smirked.
"Finally. You promised Dyson a threesome if I allow it. Well…. I know Dyson is hardwired to you, and I can't make him hold that urge forever, even though I know Dyson will try his hardest to. If you bed with my wolf not for healing purposes, I must be there. Not that it will happen but I need to cover this topic," Kendra uttered, a little embarrassed, knowing that she just opened up their relationship to a threesome, from time, to time.
Kendra wanted that perfect monogamous relationship, but all relationships required work, like Bo proclaimed.
"OK." Bo smirked, and nodded.
"Just don't ever tell Dyson about that stipulation, OK? It's kind of a last ditch resort," Kendra relayed.
"Of course, assuming he doesn't remember what is was promised earlier," Bo tersely agreed.
Then a tense silence engulfed them, and Bo could tell Kendra wanted to talk about something more serious.
"Hey," Bo asked rocking Kendra lightly, "What is it?"
Kendra hated this, but had to broach this topic now, or never. She needed to do succession planning, as they called it at her work place. Not so much because of the seer's premonition, but it did speed things up.
Kendra looked down at the sheets, and didn't even look at Bo, mumbling, "Concerning Dyson, if something were to happen to me … can you…. "
Bo interrupted, grabbing her, forcing her eye to eye, and adamantly stated, "Kendra, NOTHING will happen to you OK! Nothing you won't allow, and I most certainly won't either!"
"I'm in the same boat as Lauren Bo, I'm a human, with a human life span…." Kendra clarified.
"You're KENDRA SHAW, one of the most bad ass people I know of. DON'T argue your limitations to me EVER, because then they become you," Bo grunted.
"Bo! I want your blood oath that you'll look after Dyson if I happen to move on!" Kendra demanded.
Bo was silent.
"Bo I LOVE Dyson, and like you, we take care of our family. Like it or not, you are the closest thing Dyson has I can think of, in terms of a support system," Kendra proclaimed passionately, to Bo.
"Kendra," Bo pursed her lips, "I am honored but …"
"Just agree," Kendra ordered.
Bo never would have thought that Kendra would be throwing Dyson at her. Just a couple minutes ago, Kendra was trying to keep Dyson as far away from her as possible.
How surprisingly intertwined everyone's lives where, Bo mused.
Bo still had a part of his heart, but trouble always found her. Granted she cared for Dyson too, but this was an added burden, on top of what she already had.
It then occurred to her that EVERYONE had burdens to carry, and everyone was already carrying more than their fair share.
Finally Bo nodded saying, "Dyson is family. I will do my best Kendra."
Kendra then changed gears, and seriously asked, "Bo? Were you really that turned on by me?"
Bo laughed, when she realized that Kendra's free hand was resting on her inner thigh around her very moist sex, but not touching it directly, "Heck yea."
Both broke out into boisterous laughter.
Bo finally asked, getting up, raising a brow, "Are we ok?"
Kendra hugged, then kissed Bo on the cheek, and genuinely nodded, hopping out of bed, "Yes. Thanks Bo, for everything."
Bo's eyes turned bright blue for a moment, then they went back to normal, at the sight of Kendra nude, gathering both of their clothing, and tossing Bo hers.
It took some time to look presentable again, but the 2 enemies entered the room earlier, and left as good friends.
Mid way down the hall, Bo stopped, and asked Kendra, "Hey, the seer had a premonition of you, and your team being killed defending me. FIRST, I'm sorry if I dragged you into my shit. Second, DON'T do it. DO NOT respond to my call for help, OK? I refuse to let you put your life, and the lives of your team, on the line for a Fae brawl. Also Tamsin….is your sister, and I don't want her to die because of my sometimes foolish actions."
Kendra saw the regret flash across Bo's face, and gingerly latched onto Bo's hand, "Don't be sorry Bo. We do what we need to do. OK? I know that if I am there, it was not solely because of you, but for something greater. Also there is no point in berating yourself for something that may not even happen."
Kendra observed, that by kind of forcing herself to be Bo's friend, and holding her hand, it did make her feel closer to Bo. Bo was right.
"Fuck. I KILLED you…. and Dyson… and your fracking TEAM." Bo roared, and spun around upset. "I WILL NEVER let that happen."
Bo then noticed Kenzi, and Hale coming towards them from the opposite end of the hall. Also gathered in the floor below, Bo could see Lauren, Trick, Mia, Alex, Drake, and most of all Tamsin.
All eyes were on Bo now, due to the uproar.
Kendra stated to Bo, from behind, for all to hear, "It's just the rambling of a fool Bo."
Bo just spat out, announcing to everyone upset, "I am SICK, and TIRED of crying. SICK, and TIRED of being SCARED about some stupid premonition! I will never be the victim. I WILL not wait for DEATH to find us because *I* will find him first. All of you think that keeping me safe, means giving up your lives for me."
"Screw that!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. "The price of losing even one of you is too darn high! What does it profit a person to gain the world, to in turn lose their soul! All of you ARE a part of my heart, and soul. NOT one more life. NOT ONE MORE! You hear me!"
"I CHOOSE my fate, because I will shove my will, and destiny down its freakin' THROAT! Got that! CHOOSE YOUR FATE! CHOOSE, and don't ever give up on me, your loved ones, or your family," Bo decreed, pointing at each of them.
"FATE has threatened to take many of you from me, and I don't plan to take this lying down, because I fight back. I may hit like a girl, but I pack the wallop of a god! I will go to Valhalla, ask the gods for assistance, mobilize their armies, to meet these COWARD Fae head on! That means ALL of you need to prepare. Don't just train hard, train like all our lives depend on it. And I am NOT beyond asking you Trick to write these frackers out of existence!" Bo's voice rumbled, and echoed.
"Fate has no idea who he is messing with. Fate thinks it is done. I have only BEGUN to fight. Fate believes it has out maneuvered me…. out maneuvered us. Check us at every turn, and I've gotta fucking message for him, when we best him on his own turf!" Bo announced even louder.
Bo sparked, exploding, and burning a bright red hue all over her body, as her lower octave voice shook the room stating, "Check Mate, Asshole!"
Bo immediately returned to her regular self, and it was deathly silent as all were in awe of her speech.
Dyson bravely walked up next to Bo, and howled loudly. It was a war cry. One that is supposed to unite those in a pack, into action.
Tamsin never really knew Bo to be able to lead the masses, but she just dispelled that myth. Maybe Bo could lead the 9 kingdoms after all.
Tamsin just smirked, and mentioned softly to herself, "And into the darkness we descend. Without hesitation, without reservation; courageous, and unbreakable."
Arin heard this, and replied in a whisper, tugging Tamsin's sleeve, "It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine."
Tamsin huffed out a laugh, as applause, and the roar of determination to triumph over fate, filled the room.
A/N: As usual, HUGE thanks to Tsmithers23 for proofing this story.
BTW Keep an eye out, the next chap is just around the corner!
Comments appreciated and thanks for reading!