~**A new chapter! Yay! Please read the prior chapters if you need to catch up with what happened in the previous adventures. As always, feel free to let me know, and the characters know, of what you think. They love it! And it helps keep them from asking me too many questions. ^_^ And remember! Have fun reading!**~
**As time lapses, Alex was already showing intense boredom. But, much to his surprise, he was very pleased that a story had finally come to a close. And, as he predicted, much of the main cast of characters from The Ancient Curse had filtered in to start reclining with their own show of relief.**
"We're done!" Beast Boy said with relief and flopped on a leather couch.
"For now, maybe," Jericho chuckled. Ambrosia found herself laughing softly with Aelfric happily bouncing on her lap in the chair she came in on. Cyborg went to raid the fridge. Starfire and Raven moved to see where they could relax in the room.
"Oh, don't say that!" Robin seemed to groan when he walked in and heard this. "I don't want to go through anything more just yet! We need a vacation. I'm done with training dreams right now."
"I think some R&R is definitely needed, too," Raven chuckled and reclined in another chair.
"Well, I must say congratulations to you all for finally finishing up that bit," Alex nodded. "It was…what? Almost two years?"
Yes. About two months shy of two years. So, we'll see how many request a sequel. I did get one possible request, but, ah, it was interesting.
**The Author chuckles and gestures to the computer. Robin had to get up to look with Jericho. At the now seen conversation, they seemed to simply stare. Alex was dying with laughter.**
"Um…wow…" Robin seemed to blink. "Yeah. Give that bit some time. Please?"
Already planning on that.
"What's it about?" Raven frowned. Jericho moved to whisper to her. Robe was mentally laughing hard in her head. "Yeah. Wow."
"Can I partake in this?" Starfire beamed.
"Not this time. Trust me," Robin seemed to grin nervously.
"Dude?" Beast Boy asked. Robin shook his head to him, too. Cyborg finally got up from his food raids and walked over. At what he gleaned, he backed away.
"Too much right now! Eh, maybe later," he quickly agreed. Beast Boy finally had to get up to look. His jaw dropped a moment later at what he read, and Jericho was quick to move and clamp his mouth shut to keep him from shouting. He didn't want to stress out Ambrosia.
"It may not happen," Jericho muttered. "And we don't want to upset Aelfric. Okay?"
"Kay…" Beast Boy muttered out from his clamped mouth. He rubbed his jaw when he was let go and sighed with a small groan.
"At least it's nice and quiet," Cyborg chuckled.
"We can change that," Alex grinned wickedly. "You did bring her kid here. Agatha did want to see about a play date with the kids. Not sure who would want to stick around to be the babysitters…"
"What?!" Beast Boy gaped.
"I would be delighted!" Ambrosia beamed. "Aelfric could use some friends."
"Hello, dear," Alex chuckled at the sight of Agatha walking over to him from the main doors.
"What's being talked about?" she asked.
"A possible play date with the kids," he grinned.
"Oh! Hmm. I don't think we should invite any of ours," she mused.
"Likely a wise idea," he nodded.
"Can we send out the invites?" Agatha asked the Author.
**The Author nods and some typing was quickly done. When Kiehl Hyre walked in with Sarine and Howard Alt-Eisen, they were quick to start looking around critically.**
"We need a play area for the kids. If we don't have a place to contain them, they will get out of hand," Kiehl advised. "Can we make an area?"
"I thought this place was supposed to be a simple break room," Alex muttered, but he was grinning, too. "We have a bar. A gaming room. A massive kitchen. An arena…"
I am well aware.
"What did this place look like originally?" Robin asked.
"Don't ask!" Alex said quickly, but the Author was already typing. At the sight of the drab room with basic appliances, the others grimaced.
"Can we have the other one back?" Beast Boy seemed to whine. When the far more improved room returned, a sigh of relief was given.
"I told you this one is better," Alex grinned at the Author.
And you had to include heated padding on all of the toilet seats.
"And why not?" he countered. At this news, Robin and Jericho both looked at each other before holding back their snickers. Agatha found herself giggling.
**The Author taps on the keys to have the room enlarge a bit more to include a central door along the western wall. This room held an elaborate nursery filled with toys, cribs, cradles and anything else required to hold children.**
"Couldn't you just make small portals to places?" Alex asked.
Possibly. But, why do that? The Break Room is supposed to be a room. Not a portal to another dimension. Granted, you did break the Fourth Wall, but I don't have to make it seem that way all the time. I'll just adjust the room as needed to keep things simple.
"Fine," Alex sighed. It was what happened next that had him speechless. Kids flooded in from the main doors. As they looked about in sheer wonder, Kiehl cleared his throat for instant attention.
"Kids…behave," Kiehl muttered. They quickly formed into a set of lines. "Yes, this is that place called The Break Room. All of you are permitted to be here for a while. Others will be here shortly."
"Um…Keel…" the oldest girl asked. She looked like Sarine, but had a slight touch of Howard's green in her hair. Kiehl looked at her with a small smile. Her twin brother had reddish-orange hair with a touch of his green, too. She had Sarine's tiger eye colored eyes, and her brother had Howard's green-blue eyes. "This place is special?"
"Very special, Serenity," he chuckled. "We can't talk about this place. It's a very big secret."
"Okay," a blond girl with Sarine's eyes and glowing red pupils beamed. Sarine was now greeted by Agatha with a mild embrace, and the children were led into the new room.
"They are so well-behaved!" Agatha beamed.
"It's because they know how I can get," Kiehl chuckled. "And they understand discipline."
"As well as respect," Howard grinned.
"I should have you talk to my kids," Alex grunted.
"No. You do enough," Agatha laughed softly.
**Anaurael came in next with Tyrael, Imperius, Izarius and Imperael. She was holding Malthael's body in her arms, and Malthael was currently in the small form to see what it was like to interact with other children this way.**
"Good to see you again," Sarine waved.
"Hello, to you, too," Tyrael chuckled. "Call my son Mal, if you could. It keeps the confusion down. Yes, I know you're in your body right now."
Malthael gave a golden-eyed glance at him and seemed to snort. He fussed a little when Anaurael fixed up his silver-blond hair a bit to keep out of his eyes. Imperius flicked his golden wings and shuddered with disgust at who walked in now.
**Saithe and Horny arrived holding their son, Dax. Following close behind them were Shadowsbane's hatchlings.**
"How cute!" Sarine beamed at the small black dragons that bounded over to her when she knelt down. Horny smirked at Imperius and escorted his mate to the new chamber.
"Filth…" Imperius grunted.
"Love…" Anaurael sighed with a chuckle. "Just be tolerant for now."
At the sight of Serenity darting out the nursery door, she paused with awe at the sight of Imperius. He glanced down at her and kept his hands on Anaurael's shoulders. In a small voice, she asked, "Um…are you an angel?"
"I am more than just an angel. I am Imperius, Archangel of Valor. I am the leader of the Angiris Council. Should I ask what you are?" he asked mildly.
"I…" she seemed to cringe.
"Love, stop it," Anaurael frowned. "She is only a child."
"She has angel blood in her. And demon," Sarine said with an edge of motherly protection.
Young ones are always innocent. You know this. And this area is a neutral zone.
"I am aware," Imperius said. Now Serenity looked at the Author with curiosity.
Hello, Serenity! I am the Author. I helped you come about. Don't worry. You're perfectly safe here. I was asked to bring others in for you to make some new friends!
She gasped with delight at this and beamed. The Author lightly pat her on the head, and she giggled before running back off into the new room. The Author thought and typed on the keys again.
**Who appeared next was Detective Dupin with his wife, Marjery. She had their son in her arms, and she was a bit taken by the room. Her brown hair was done up in soft curls and pinned back in a modest way. Her light green eyes were very inquisitive as she took in the room in full. The dark blue dress she wore was exceptionally modest and seemed to resemble one from a Victorian era.**
"Auguste…what was that?!" she blinked. The detective only smiled at her.
"I warned you in advance," Dupin chuckled and squeezed her shoulder. "Hello! We were asked to be here. This is my wife, Marjery, and my son, Samuel. And…ah…"
He blinked at the sight of the angels in the room. Anaurael smiled warmly and moved to welcome Marjery. Mal glanced at the infant in Marjery's arms and was very curious. Alex was already moving over to them now, too.
"Those are angels. Yes, we have demons here, too," Alex grinned. "I suppose you're here for the play date? For the kids?"
"That was what I had received the notice for," the detective nodded. When Tyrael walked over to make introductions, Dupin was simply amazed at the diverse world that was out there. "I must say! I had dealings with other demons and ghosts. Murderers and thieves. Various other things, too. But, I am quite amazed to be seeing angels."
"You would think so," Imperael chuckled and nodded in his deep, regal tone.
"Well, I have yet to have been here. I seem to be lacking on knowledge," Marjery sighed.
"This way!" Agatha smiled and led her newest friend to the back wall to read the parchment. When it was read, the proper woman was clucking her tongue.
"What is it, my dear?" Dupin asked.
"Not once did you even bother to invite me with you to come here!" she grumbled at him. His jaw dropped and the others started to laugh. "I honestly wonder what is worse! Doing one of your puzzles, or trying to figure you out after all this time."
"I'd call it even," Agatha suggested.
"Rightly so," Marjery nodded. "Well, now that I am here, I would love to make everyone's acquaintances. May I?"
"Of course!" Anaurael nodded back, and all three women moved to talk and catch Marjery up with current events. Dupin just sighed at this.
"It's not really his fault, you know," Alex mused. "The Author never pulled them in."
I am aware of it. There is always a lot going on. I can't keep track of all the traffic!
"Well, you do keep writing…" Alex snickered. The Author rose a brow and Alex laughed more. Ambrosia was already in the new room with Aelfric, Jericho, Robin and Beast Boy. Starfire beamed at a thought, and she flew out of the room to come back with Silkie. Raven ran a hand over her face and had to get up at last to help introduce Silkie to the kids. Cyborg swallowed down his laugh and was soon moving to watch everything.
"I think we should go in there now," Izarius said.
"Do you?" Tyrael laughed softly. Imperius was already moving into the room to be with Anaurael. The Author tapped on a few keys to simply appear in the nursery room.
**Children were screaming, playing games, gossiping and skipping around the room. When Sarine's older children began to get wilder, since it was them causing the noise, Kiehl cleared his throat.**
"Do I need to get Ragged Zombie?" he asked. At this, all of the rowdy children got quiet and shook their heads. "Good. Play gentler, please."
"Okay. I need to know," Alex grinned. Kiehl whispered softly. "That's right! Maybe Hermes should pull a knife out from his gut…"
"Ew!" Serenity said quickly. "That's icky!"
"Who has to pull the knife?" a blond boy with blue eyes and red pupils frowned.
"One of my kids. He's a bit older than all of you. He can be pretty mean," Alex chuckled.
"The knife becomes icky and stinky, though," another blond girl with brown eyes frowned.
"Angie, we know it's always icky!" a black-haired boy with blue eyes grunted.
"Gunther, Angela and Edward. Come here," Sarine said. The three of them moved over to settle in her lap and around her when she sat down. "You all know why it's done."
"Yeah," Gunther frowned in his rough voice.
"And you know that your dad, Doppelganger, would only spank you," Howard grinned.
"I'd rather take a spanking over a stinky knife!" Gunther snorted. Alex found himself laughing.
"What's his name?" a girl bounded over to Anaurael to see Mal. She had brown hair and deep blue eyes, and she laughed when Malthael leaned over to touch her nose.
"His name is Malthael. We call him Mal for short," Anaurael chuckled. "Who are you?"
"I am Trina!" she beamed. "My brother is Bernard. We are all brothers and sisters, but he is my twin. I can change things around. Only once, though. He can do special stuff, too. We all have special powers. Two powers."
"Really?" Tyrael mused. Dupin looked over from where he was sitting with Marjery and Samuel.
"Can they show us?" Izarius asked. Imperius was actually interested now. Even Saithe and Horny were going to watch with the others, as Dax played with some building blocks.
Sarine has quite a few children. They all have up to two distinct talents. It may be too much to show off all that they have.
**At this said, the others gave small scowls and made mild demands to have the kids show off what they had. The Author sighs and types on the keyboard for a small table to appear with some items on it. The kids would know what to do, and Sarine had her oldest twelve there.**
"Should have my kids and Sammy's kids here, too," Kiehl sighed.
"Do you think they're old enough to be here? We have How-How's twins, Doppy's twins, Thanatos's twins…" Sarine started to muse.
"Well, Naght is bonded to me, so Serenity and Seigfreid both belong to him and me," Howard chuckled. "Edward and Angela are bonded to both Errende and Thanatos."
"Gunther and Bianca are both Doppy's in full. Trina and Bernard belong to Keltin. They're the ones here now. Deagan and Juliana aren't here. They're mine. Ming and Loo Shin are Sammy's. I think they're old enough to be here to play," Kiehl nodded. "They have been walking and talking normally."
"You had all of these children?" Marjery blinked.
"Yes. All within a year," Sarine chuckled. Now she got stared at. "It's how they grow."
"Demons always grow fast," Horny smirked. At the sight of Serenity walking over to Kiehl, she was regarded and nodded to.
"So…we can show off what we do?" she asked with a touch of mischief.
"As long as you behave about it and take turns," Sarine nodded. Agatha found herself laughing with Ambrosia at the sight of the kids getting slightly excited.
"Okay!" Serenity beamed and moved to present herself. "I am Serenity. I can make a set of Daddy Naght's swords help me when I get mad. I can also make new weapons! Um, can I show them?"
"You can. Just behave yourselves," Howard said.
"Dad?!" a small voice said when a young boy with silver hair and blue eyes was brought in by a drone. A girl with silver curls in her hair with Sarine's eyes was seen next to appear. Both of them wore glasses, and Kiehl let them snuggle into his sides. Sammy was seen next holding his twins to him and finding a place to sit on a floor pillow. Both sets of twins gave shy looks to the new children in the room.
"You're okay, Deagan," Kiehl chuckled and let his twins adjust to sit in his lap.
"Um, Gunther! Help me out!" Serenity said. He nodded and trotted over with a small knife.
"Hi. I'm Gunther. I can help Daddy Howard out by eating what he makes and spitting out what he made stuff with to make other stuff. I can also help Seri like this," he said and began to eat the knife he was carrying. The Horned Reaper seemed to start grinning at this. Imperius was silently amazed that a young boy could chew up metal.
"Thanks," Serenity said and let her brother spit out the mangled pieces.
"If I didn't make it, he just chews it up into pieces," Howard explained.
"I would suppose so," Tyrael mused. Imperael was watching everything very closely. Serenity arranged the pieces and let a hammer materialize next to her to smack down on them. A powerful, newly made weapon with Fire attributes was created.
"Oh! I didn't make this yet!" she beamed at the Bazerald Dagger.
"No, you haven't," Howard grinned when she gave it to him. "No spot for a card. That's fine."
"Should I change it?" Trina asked.
"No, it's fine," he smiled.
"Can I see that?" Imperael asked. The dagger was handed over, and he examined it. "Very interesting! Could she make weapons for us?"
Unfortunately, that cannot be done. She can only work with items that derives from her story arch. If she was able to do others, it would off-set a balance.
"Ah. I can understand that," Imperael nodded and handed back the dagger. Serenity's twin brother was quick to walk over now and introduce himself.
"I'm Seigfreid. I'm Serenity's twin brother. I can make the air change temperature, and I can do the same thing to a weapon I hold. I seem to work with Fire and Ice the best," he said.
"Well, Naght is based on Fire and Ice," Sarine nodded. "It's no surprise there."
"My turn!" the blond girl with Sarine's eyes and glowing pupils said. "I'm Bianca. I'm Gunther's twin sister. I can break things apart with my hands, and I always make things perfectly on the first try. I'm trying to learn how to remember things that I make. I simply seem to make them without thinking. It's hard to remember what I use."
"It is always wise to remember what is used," Marjery agreed. Then she sighed and murmured, "Now, if only someone could remember how to piece together a puzzle lock…"
"Quiet…" Dupin muttered. She batted her eyes at him sweetly. "I married you for your intelligence. Not your bantering wit."
"Excuse me?" she asked him. Now he grinned at her. At the small bits of laughter at this, she said, "If I recall, I made quite a few witty remarks to you. And you still married me."
"Touché, my dear," he nodded with agreement. Robin and Jericho were struggling to keep from laughing. Tyrael had managed to hide his grin.
"You look so cool!" A black haired boy with Sarine's eyes said to Cyborg.
"Thanks! I'm half human and half robot. It's pretty sweet," Cyborg grinned. Then he blinked at the blade hands the boy made.
"I'm Albert. My Dad is a robot, too. And sort of like you, I think," Albert thought.
"Really?" Cyborg thought aloud.
"Not exactly. He's a part robot and part demon. It's the same with his sister. They were both sired by one of my former servants, Aliot. He is now a slave to Sarine," Kiehl said. Anaurael squeezed Imperius's hands when she felt him tense. She finally got up and had him sit down to settle in his lap. It helped calm him down when he was able to focus fully on her.
"You don't have to be here," she said softly.
"I need to be here," he muttered to her and gently squeezed her. "Because if one certain demon shows up…"
That won't happen. I would not risk having both you and that one here.
"Good," Imperius nodded.
"Who's this?" Horny asked.
His arch nemesis. And it's even worse with him than with Robin and Slade.
"Wow," Robin blinked. "Ah, yeah. If it's as bad, or even more than bad, don't let them meet."
"Not with children here," Anaurael nodded softly and got squeezed.
"Hey! I was playing with that!" Angela frowned when Dax snatched a toy horse from her.
"Dax…" Saithe glared at him. The small dragon hatchlings were playing tug-of-war with a specialized rope, so they were out of the way of others. Her son looked at her with a frown. "At home, you can be mean. In here, you need to be tolerable. Give her back the toy."
At Horny's mild, burning yellow glare, his son whimpered and released the plush horse doll. At the threatening cry Dax was going to give out of frustration, he found himself hugged by Angela.
"Thank you for giving it back," she smiled. Now he found himself stunned. "I can get you another toy, if you want?"
He turned to study her with his black eyes with glowing yellow pupils. Even as a toddler, he was exceptionally smart. He looked over at his mother now to see her nod. At the sight of a stuffed dinosaur in the shape of a Brontosaurus, he took that eagerly to play with. The other kids wouldn't know what it was, but it was still a toy.
"And, who are you?" Horny now asked her.
"Oh. My name is Angela. I can Heal everyone, but myself. And I can give life to things," she said softly in a shy way. "My Dad is a High Priest. I'm going to be like him."
"Interesting," Horny mused. "This is my son, Dax. He's half Horned Reaper and half Shadow Demon. And he has a blend of Harpy blood, too. I'm not sure what he can do yet. Other than piss me off most of the time."
"Your kid does that, too?" Alex grinned wickedly. Horny laughed and could only nod.
"Alex!" Agatha scowled lightly and smacked his arm.
"Angie!" Edward said and charged over to her to mildly glare at Dax. The baby demon seemed to snarl when she got pulled to the other side of the room in a protective way. Then Edward said, "I'm her brother, Edward. When I get mad, I get really strong. I can also make monster cards into other cards. But, only if they are of the same type."
When Dax managed to stand up on his own and try to walk, Saithe dropped her jaw at this. The baby wanted to get back over to Angela. Horny was highly amused at this.
"He likes her," Horny grinned. "Because she's pure."
"It tends to be that way," Howard sighed and let Angela scramble into his lap for safety. Saithe finally rolled her eyes and got up to snatch up her wandering son. Now that he was walking, it was going to be even more of a handful to keep him still.
"Give him to me," Horny grunted. Dax was handed over and set down between him and Saithe. "Sit. Don't move. If you do, you don't want to know what I'll do to you."
Dax whined at this, but he could only pout at the glare he got. Now that he was under control, Saithe asked, "So, how many more do we need to see?"
"Three more for the older ones. Then we have the four here. Albert, you showed off one talent. What's the other?" Kiehl asked. At this said, Albert turned and adjusted his glasses. Then he narrowed his eyes at a wall for a laser to appear and make a burn mark. Cyborg's jaw dropped. Beast Boy was gasping at how awesome it was. When his twin sister skipped over, she beamed. Her hair was white with Sarine's curls, and she had her mother's eyes, too.
"Hi! My name is Alexis. I can daze people with my singing, and I can make edible stuff appear that can Heal! See?" she said and held out her hands for an apple to appear.
"That is very interesting!" Imperael chuckled.
"When she gets stronger, she'll call up more things," Kiehl nodded. Then they all looked over when Starfire had set Silkie down for a moment. The caterpillar made his way over to where the dragon hatchlings were playing tug-of-war. They dropped the rope to study him. Then they paused when Silkie simply ate the rope they were tugging on. Then he belched at them. Cyborg died laughing.
"Silkie! That is not nice," Starfire said and flew over to the caterpillar to gather him back up. Then she looked at the sad-looking hatchlings. "I am so sorry! Um…"
**The Author looks over to chuckle and type on a few keys for a new rope toy to appear. It was quickly tackled as though nothing was wrong.**
All fixed. We're good.
"Thanks. Ah, Ambrosia, give Silkie some ice cream," Robin said.
"So…that can eat anything?" Izarius asked.
"Yep!" Beast Boy grinned. Imperius was clearly in thought about this. His attention was diverted to Bernard walking over now with Trina.
"I'm Bernard. This is my sister, Trina. I have my Dad's attacks to have some of his Rage, and I can make strong spheres without thinking. Um…I don't want to show it off, though. It's too strong," he frowned. He was a complete miniature of Keltin with brown hair and blue eyes.
"That's fine," Sarine smiled and let him move into her lap to snuggle her.
"Well, I'm Trina. I can make something different only once. And I know what different monsters are and stuff. My Dad knows, too, for helping my Mom," she blushed. She picked up the apple that Alexis brought forth and changed it into a bunch of grapes. "See?"
"I should have her make some of your food turn into tofu!" Beast Boy grinned at Cyborg.
"Don't you even dare!" Cyborg glowered.
"Tofu?" Trina blinked.
"Don't do it," Kiehl said. "Besides, if she feels forced into it, it weakens her. Don't use my daughter for any of your stunts."
"I know, I know," Beast Boy sighed. Then he looked over at the sight of Anarius walking in to regard them all. All of the kids there gaped at him.
"HELLO YOUNG ONES. I AM ANARIUS. I AM ANU REBORN. MY MOTHER ASSISTED IN MY REBIRTH NOT LONG AGO," Anarius said calmly.
"You…had him…?!" Edward gaped at Anaurael.
"That I did," she nodded. Anarius moved to calmly sit his massive bulk in a chair. He soon found himself swarmed with the older kids. He actually showed that he was enjoying it.
"Some of them are demons," Imperius grunted.
"THERE IS LIGHT IN THEM, TOO. WE SHOULD NOT DISMISS IT. THEY ARE ALL HONORABLE. I CAN TELL THEY HAVE BEEN RAISED CORRECTLY," he said calmly. Imperius paused in thought at this. Anaurael beamed and squeezed Imperius gently.
"That they have," Kiehl smiled. "Okay. Deagan and Juliana. Tell them what you both can do."
"Okay," Deagan said. "Um, I'm very smart. Like, super smart. And I can make robots out of anything. And they work."
"And I can see the true weakness of anything," Juliana said with a light blush. "I'm also very smart. It's our powers."
"Maybe they can help you solve some puzzles," Marjery giggled. Dupin groaned slightly.
"All right," Sammy chuckled. "Ming and Loo Shin. It's your turns."
"I can learn any dance. I can also make items appear from special boxes. Any items that I want," Ming smiled and snuggled into her father's arms.
"I can play any instrument known. Ah, I can also sense where items are that we need," Loo Shin nodded. Everyone was very impressed with the kids.
"We have a lot more kids, but we only want a certain amount to appear," Sarine smiled. At the sight of several tired yawns, she said, "And I believe it's time to go back. We'll do this again."
"That we will!" Ambrosia smiled. When the kids started to protest, Kiehl glared mildly at them.
"Don't worry, kids. We'll make sure you all can come back again," Howard promised. That got them to chatter with happiness, and they all quickly piled out with Sarine, Kiehl, Howard and Sammy.
"Amazing how quiet it got," Jericho snickered. "But, I think they have the right idea. Shall we?"
"Yes," Ambrosia nodded. The Titan group left after that, and the angels left shortly after.
"You will bring me back here, right?" Marjery asked.
Absolutely! I'll definitely do what I can.
"Good. I'll let Auguste watch over Samuel for once," she chuckled.
"I beg your pardon?" Dupin frowned.
"We'll talk over a puzzle board," she grinned softly. "If I put it together before you, I get some time off from being a mother."
"That's impossible! I know you'll end up putting it together before me," he said.
"Then I'll be able to have a little time to myself, yes?" she chuckled and let him lead her out.
"Maybe an hour," he sighed with defeat.
"That's all I need," she said and gave him a gentle kiss before finally leaving the Break Room.
"What do you think?" Saithe asked Horny.
"We could leave Dax here," he started. His son looked at him with worry. "But, I know he'll just scream everyone's ears off. Fine. Let's go."
When it was just Alex and Agatha, they were quick to retire to the main room with the Author. After getting something to eat, Agatha looked over and asked, "So, what plans are next?"
I'm not sure. I'll have to see.
**They both nodded to the Author and let the typing commence to see exactly which story arc would get the next update. The Author could only hopeto put out as much as possible in what time allowed.**
**Some time had lapsed before someone eventually entered the room. The Author had been busy with work, story arcs and other things that needed to be done to keep life moving. Glancing over at the main doors, it was Anarius that walked in diligently.**
"I WAS HOPING TO SPEAK WITH YOU AT LENGTH," he said.
Sure! Come and sit with me.
**The Author gestures and lets a seat appear with a few quick keystrokes.**
"I WANTED TO KNOW," he started. "THERE ARE MANY GODS IN SOME OF YOUR WORKS. AND I DID MEET WITH ONE BEFORE. I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH HIM AGAIN WITH A FEW OTHERS. CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE?"
I can see what I can do.
**The Author mused a bit and typed on a few keys. Muninn was quick to appear to answer the call. Then Odin appeared in his aged form, and he gave a single-eyed glance at the room. He was dressed in animal furs and armors, and his thick, grey beard easily covered over his neck and chin. He bore no weapon, but he gave off a definite aura of power.**
"Ah, what was that?" Odin blinked his single eye at the room.
"Hello, Father Odin! The room was just, ah, speaking out. It does that here," Muninn chuckled. "This is Anarius. He is a bit of a god, too."
"Truly?!" Odin asked and watched Anarius walk over.
"YES. I AM ANU REBORN IN AN ANGELIC FORM. I AM THE ONE THAT GAVE EXISTENCE TO THE HIGH HEAVENS. I HAD ASKED TO SPEAK WITH OTHERS OF POWER LIKE MYSELF. I AM PLEASED TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE," he nodded.
"The same!" Odin nodded. "Hmm. Muninn, do you feel that I should request for Loki to appear? Or for Huginn to appear?"
"Hmm. I am honestly unsure," Muninn frowned. "Both Loki and Huginn may gain…plans. I am honestly unsure of what to think of this."
If they do try something, it will not leave this room. It is nearly impossible for anything to happen to Sarine with how she is.
"And how are you so certain?" Odin asked.
Who is she becoming pregnant with next? Do you honestly think that Huginn would allow her, the future mother of his son, to come to any harm? Either from himself or from Loki?
"Ah! I see now! He would definitely hesitate," Muninn said.
And, yes. He will be joining EVERY Demonic Mating he gives her.
"Good!" Odin grinned.
"DEMONIC MATING?" Anarius asked. Muninn nodded and calmly explained to him what it was and how it worked. Anarius was clearly surprised at this. "AND IT CANNOT HAPPEN HERE?"
No. It can only happen in Muninn's story arc.
"BUT, IF I WOULD WISH TO SEE SUCH A THING…?" he asked with a curious tone.
That should not be necessary. Why do you hold such interest?
"I WISH TO KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT DEMONS. EITHER IN MY WORLD OR OTHERS. IT IS SOMETHING I MUST SEE TO," he explained. Muninn was a touch skeptical in this. Odin found it to be a rather wonderful idea. He looked over when Alex Mercer walked in from the double doors.
"Hi!" Alex grinned with a small wave. "What's going on?"
A complex situation.
"Really? Okay. Talk," Alex said and sat down.
"Anarius would like to see a Demonic Mating happen. He wishes to study how such things work," Muninn said. Alex thought and snapped his fingers at an idea.
"Anarius, follow me," Alex said. The massive demi-god tilted his hooded head and moved to follow him to a computer. Alex had a drone pull up the story arc, The Vessel of Odin, and he pin-pointed a good chapter that held one of the events. "Read this."
"HMMM…" Anarius thought aloud, but he ended up doing so. He was actually very surprised. When he finished reading, he sighed. "IT IS ONE THING TO READ. IT IS ANOTHER TO WITNESS."
"Okay. So, you want a fully blown out war in front of you. I get that. But, wouldn't you get the urge to kill off everything?" Alex frowned. "Most of the fighting is done by demons, you know."
"I DO NOT THINK THAT WOULD BE THE CASE HERE," Anarius admitted.
"She would need to drink my blood. And, well, if she does this, I do not want Loki or Huginn here. It would not be wise," Muninn said seriously.
I will agree to that.
"Good! Bring my daughter, my Vessel, here. We shall speak at length," Odin nodded.
**The Author nods and types on a few keys to send out the message. Sarine, Howard and Kiehl were quick to arrive to address the situation.**
"A Demonic Mating?" Howard frowned in thought. "To be done here?"
"It's risky," Kiehl said. "Only Sarine's men would do this, right?"
Correct. I will not have any others outside of her personal circle here to participate. Anarius, Alex and Odin will spectate. Including myself and any others here that are not to be a part of this.
"Well, if it's just us…" Kiehl mused. "Okay. I can accept this."
"Really?" Sarine smiled. "I won't go easy on any of you."
"We don't expect you to," Kiehl chuckled and squeezed her. She smiled at him and kissed him deeply before looking at Muninn expectantly.
"That's right. You need my blood to start it. Okay," Muninn sighed and chuckled. Alex gestured to the vacant room for Muninn to take Sarine to.
"WE CANNOT WITNESS HOW THIS STARTS?" Anarius asked.
"He has to fuck her," Alex said bluntly. Kiehl coughed to hide his laugh. Howard bit on his tongue to keep quiet. Anarius seemed to make a sound as though he was clearing his throat a bit, but he nodded. "Then she drinks his blood to start it."
"Should we get the others here?" Howard managed to ask. Kiehl had to lean against a wall to remain composed. He was no stranger to swearing. It was just the reaction from various others that weren't used to hearing it that always had him cringing with laughter.
**The Author sighs and waits for Muninn and Sarine to leave the immediate area. Some taps on the keyboard are done for quite a few of Sarine's entourage to appear. Her slave, Aliot, was one of them, and he was quick to help sort out the others.**
"Where is My Lady?" Aliot asked.
"With Muninn," Howard nodded.
"What? No descriptions?" Kiehl chuckled.
There are way too many here to describe. As they talk, they will be made known.
"What am I missing?" a snake-like monster with a scholar's cap on his head asked. His body was outlined in a black ink, and it seemed to come from a pot at his side that held a demonic-looking face. It also seemed to do most of the talking for him.
"A lot," Doppleganger grinned. "Read the paper on the back wall."
Many of them went to do this. After some time, the snake-like monster came back. "I am perplexed! I am Evil Snake Lord. Ah, should I repeat my story? For the ones here?"
"No," Alex grinned. "It gives others a chance to be curious and read for themselves."
"I see…" the monster flicked his tongue. He was quite amazed at Anarius.
"YOU ARE ONE THAT LOVES KNOWLEDGE?" he asked.
"That I do!" Evil Snake Lord chuckled.
"TRULY? I SHOULD SEE ABOUT YOU SPEAKING WITH ITHERAEL," Anarius mused. "HE ALSO GATHERS KNOWLEDGE. HE IS THE LORE KEEPER FOR THE ANGIRIS COUNCIL."
"If such an opportunity arrives, I will gladly accept it," the monster nodded.
"GOOD TO HEAR! I SHALL REQUEST IT WHEN I CAN," Anarius chuckled.
"Hmm…?" Naght Seiger asked from where he hovered. "Why…are…we…here…?"
"Anarius wants to witness a Demonic Mating," Kiehl said.
"Why…? We…can't…hit…you…" the demon snickered.
"I know," Kiehl grinned a touch wickedly. He side-stepped when Doppy moved to hit him. "Too slow, Doppy. You know that."
"I'm just proving a point," Doppy smirked. Kiehl chuckled. Then he turned to glare at the door that Sarine and Muninn came out of. They were locked in a deep kiss, and Alex quickly noticed the attitude of the males there that belonged to her. All of them, except for Howard, appeared to be ready to tear into each other. Sarine's mating scent was that powerful of a call to those ready to fight for her.
"Where do we go?" Sarine asked the Author.
Go outside to the arena there. It will be fine.
She nodded and had her males follow her out. She gave a hiss at Aliot when he tried to get close. Then a tall, silver-haired man with blue eyes quickly walked in from the double doors. He matched Doppy's height and build, and he gave out an aura of Divine power.
"I'm here! Sorry I'm late," he said and was quick to protect her. At the untrusting glare Alex was given now, Alex rose up his hands to explain himself.
"Who are you?" Alex asked. "And don't worry. I'm not part of them."
"Good. I would have stopped you from joining them. I'm Loomin. Loki's son, and I am her husband. One of them, you could say," he said.
"Ah! Okay. That's right. I remember reading up on you now. Nice to meet you," Alex nodded.
"Read up on me? Ah, okay. We'll talk later," Loomin said and quickly escorted Sarine out the destined door. Muninn also followed to ensure her protection. The group of males that gathered outside lined up easily. They glared at her with a form of expectation, but, as the spectators moved to settle in the seats, it was quickly noticed that Kiehl was glared at the most.
"HE IS RADIATING INTENSE POWER. IS HE NOT?" Anarius asked lightly.
"He does," Howard nodded. The Author was already typing and monitoring everything silently. "Kiehl is a leader of demons, in a sense. He is very powerful. He's so powerful that he can punch out a god very quickly. It was proven."
"That he can!" Odin chuckled. Anarius was impressed at this.
Alex watched Sarine smirk at the group and keen out. Now that they were fighting each other viciously, he said, "I think I recognize some of them. Ifrit, Pharaoh, Osiris, Wander Man, Baphomet Jr., Dracula, Incubus…"
"How are you remembering them?" Howard asked.
"A drone is reading up for me," Alex grinned. That got Howard laughing. "Of course, Naght and Doppy are in the mix. Ah. Thanatos, too. It would be interesting for my kids to meet up with the ones that have the same names of these monsters."
"It would be an interesting meeting," Howard grinned back.
**As the fighting continued in the arena for Sarine's Demonic Mating, the Author muses slightly and taps on the keys. The ground starts to shift for randomized spiked poles to appear in swift, rapid succession and in no particular pattern. Howard turned his head to gape with shock. Alex simply started grinning wickedly. Then the spikes showed small jets in various spaces on the poles for flame throwers, hot steam vents and darts to shoot out from them.**
"Did you have to do that?" Alex asked the Author.
Mainly to keep Kiehl on his toes.
The message was relayed to Kiehl through Howard. Kiehl actually gave a savage grin at the challenge. He'd definitely do this to impress Sarine even more. What he didn't expect was for the traps to suddenly speed up. Now Kiehl realized that he was being tested by the Author!
"He's sweating," Howard said. "The last time he broke a sweat was against Muninn."
"IS THIS A NORMAL ROUTINE?" Anarius asked.
"No. This is…unexpected," Howard sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Kiehl doesn't look happy," Alex chuckled.
"Hmm…" Odin thought as he studied the fighting pattern of each monster. Then he had an idea. He focused on Kiehl and activated the droplet of Muninn's blood in the strong monster's system. Kiehl now found himself faster, far more agile and incredibly fluid in his movements.
"What did you do?!" Howard asked Odin with complete shock.
"I have made Kiel D-01 far more able in his fighting critiques," Odin said calmly. "This will be needed in the times ahead. We must remember. He will be guarding her against both Huginn and Loki. He must never fail in his duty to her as her Soul. Muninn's blood drop in him is now serving a true purpose. This is needed."
"I was curious," Alex said. "He gives blood to her all the time. Does Muninn's blood transfer?"
"You would think so! But, it does not. You could say that it settled directly into his heart and mind. It will not go to any others. You could say that only Muninn can will his blood to go to another. As to how my daughter, my Vessel, was able to give him a drop, it does puzzle me! But, it was needed."
"SOMETIMES, IT IS THE BLOOD THAT KNOWS MORE THAN THE FLESH," Anarius mused.
"You may be correct!" Odin blinked at this thought. As the fighting got more brutal from the enhanced traps, Doppy suddenly berserked and destroyed one of the traps. Now the fighters realized something. These traps could be taken out of commission. As they worked on that, Kiehl simply continued to dodge, duck and avoid everything thrown at him. The Author tested to see if they would notice this through the rage of fighting, and the experiment finally held true.
"Would Kiehl get an element from this?" Howard asked.
No. This was only to show how this worked.
"Got it," he nodded. A few minutes more, and after the last trap was smashed down, Sarine keened out again to show the fighting was done. The males lined up before her, and she closed her eyes in thought. Of course, Kiehl was glanced at first to show he fully impressed her. Thanatos was looked at after that. Doppy was third. As she glanced at each one to show who was in the line-up, the moment she rested her eyes on Pharaoh as last, Kiehl seethed and roared out his challenge before moving swiftly to grab her for himself.
"We should go back inside," Odin advised. "It is now that they must be with my daughter, my Vessel. I am unsure if it is something you would wish to see."
"I SHALL RETIRE WITH YOU," Anarius said and rose up. Alex was with them shortly after. As much as he would have liked to stay and watch, he figured it was best to head back inside.
**It was another twenty minutes before a weary Sarine came back in. Kiehl was supporting her with a rather smug smile on his face. Then he glanced at the Author with solid amusement.**
"If I want a real exercise course, I'll have to hit you up," Kiehl grinned.
We can plan for it! I can see what can be done. I was thinking of various obstacle courses, too. And why are you looking at me like that, Alex?
"You know we need another form of a guy's night. With stripper poles," Alex grinned.
No.
"Why not?!" he pouted.
How would you explain to the others on how their mates or wives looked? How would they feel of other males that were looking at their females? Or how the girls would feel of their mates gazing at other girls? Do you want to be the one on the other end of their rage?
"Private viewing areas," Loomin said suddenly. "That will work."
"What?" Alex asked.
"I like to watch Sarine dance. So do the rest that belong to her," Loomin chuckled. "I don't want any others to see her dance, but if we had separate sections, then it should be fine."
Hmm. Possibly. It could work. Those that don't belong to anyone, like the succubus, Cydaea, wouldn't mind being viewed normally. That may be possible.
"So…it can happen?!" Alex grinned.
There is a chance that it may happen.
"Sweet!" he cackled.
"And would your wife get mad?" Kiehl asked.
"Ah…" Alex thought. Then he looked over when Agatha walked in.
"Darling," she seemed to purr out with a throaty chuckle to see him wince. "I'll let this happen with one request. I get to dance for them, too."
"What?!" he glowered.
"If you get to see other half-naked women, then I want to flaunt what I have, too. I think it's fair," she said. "In fact, let's see what the others say."
"I don't mind dancing for others. I just won't go nude," Sarine smiled. She was already standing there, and she optioned to voice her thoughts easily. "I might even eat a cookie…"
"No!" both Howard and Kiehl said together.
"If she does that, then she is not dancing!" Doppy hissed.
"I WILL NOT WITNESS THIS EVENT," Anarius said.
"I would hope not," Odin chuckled. "I will not be present, either."
"Sarine, could you teach me how you eat cookies?" Agatha asked. At the glowing, beaming look that was rewarded to her, the men around Sarine cringed. Sarine leaned over to softly whisper in Agatha's ear. The pale female coughed down her laugh, turned a beat red and already heard laughter and retorts in the hive link from other females trying the bit of advice.
"Oh, fuck…" Alex grimaced.
"You read up on that, too?" Howard seemed to smile tightly.
"Yes…" Alex grunted and shook his head.
**With new plans for a specialized room to be set up, which meant a complete resize of the Break Room once more, the Author could only sigh, laugh and type on the keys for work and chapter updates. It would likely be done in time. There was simply no other way around it.**
**As the Author continues to type, work and cope with real life, the doors open to reveal a male figure that is not in any of the Author's story arcs at all. He was dressed in white and silver, and even his hair was silver. His eyes were silver with a slight tinge of blue, and a monocle resembling a half set of glasses sat regally on his nose over his right eye. He did bear a weapon, and it resembled an elaborately done sword with a massive clock face in the pommel. Silver chains seemed to hold his coat together, and there was even a chain attached to his pocket watch to his inner coat pocket. He was slender, lithe and unusually calm as he surveyed the room, though his boots looked a touch too large for his form. At the sight of the Author, he walked over.**
"Ah. Um…that was…what?" he seemed to blink.
You must be Aeon! From the Castlevania Judgment game, if I remember correctly. Good to see you! I'm known as the Author. What brings you here?
"A game? I am confused," he said. "As for me being here, I noticed an anomaly in time. I came here to investigate. I'm…surprised to find this place."
That's right. You are a Time Guardian. There is a parchment on the back wall that you can read that may give you more insight.
"Okay," he nodded and turned to do just that. Just after he finished reading, Sarine had walked in out of sheer boredom. She was looking for something to do, and she gave a look of surprise at Aeon.
"Kiehl?! Oh! You're not him. But…you look almost exactly like him in stance and build. I just now noticed your clothing. Of course, you're not Kiehl! I am sorry for mistaking you," she chuckled and sighed. "Are you new here?"
"Ah…yes…" he said when he turned to regard her. He actually paused at her beauty before coming back around. "I was wondering about this place. I sensed it. My name is Aeon."
"Nice to meet you! My name is Sarine. I'm from the realm of Ragnarok Online. Apparently, it's a video game," she seemed to shrug. "But I'm alive and well here!"
"I was told that I was also from a game," he said small smile.
"Which one?"
"I think the Author said Castlevania."
"I haven't heard of that!"
"Be glad you haven't," he said with a chuckle. He took out his pocket watch to check the time and neatened out his coat jacket. Then he checked his watch again. "My watch is not moving?!"
Yes. Time does not really exist for you here. So, it is suspended.
"That would do it," he seemed to mutter with irritation.
"You are concerned with time?" she frowned.
"I am a Guardian over time. If something goes wrong, it's my job to fix it," he said.
"You would not wish to speak with Muninn, then! He freezes time all the time," she giggled.
"What?" Aeon seemed to growl.
"It's for me, really," she sighed and looked away.
"For you?" he asked. "Why?"
"It's…a lengthy story…" she shrugged. He looked around and gestured to a chair with a gloved hand. "You want me to tell you?"
"If time doesn't work properly here, then I'm not expected anywhere," he smiled softly. "I have no real home, anyways. So, let's talk. Ah, I did want to know more about Muninn. Can you explain?"
"Okay," she nodded and sat down. A drone appeared and served them some tea at her request. "Muninn was my brother. Or so I thought. Not really blood related, but he's one of my husbands now."
"One of your…?" he blinked.
"Yes. I have a multitude of men at my beck and call. Not that I wanted it, of course. It's something that just had to happen. I have no choice in it, really. I do love them all, though! And with how my past was, well…I'm surprised that I have anyone, much less here to tell the tale. Really…"
"What do you mean?"
"At two years of age, I was locked away and left to die in darkness," she winced. Now he stared at her with shock. She took in a shaky breath and worried her lower lip. "I lived through it, as you can see. It was…very rough. So…yeah. It's…tough to talk about. You see…"
"Who…did this…?" he asked. He was refraining to reach out to hold her hand to comfort her. He wasn't sure why that was. He took a sip of tea instead.
"I'd say you should read everything, but…" she chuckled.
"I can read? Oh. Your story arc. Okay. Where do I read?" he asked.
"A drone can show you," she said and gestured to one standing nearby.
"A drone? Oh. More reading?" he smiled a bit warmly. She nodded and watched him move off. Then he seemed to pause and he walked back over to her. "I was curious about something."
"What's that?" she asked. He sat back down with her. He really didn't want to let her sit alone, and he wasn't done speaking with her. He actually felt sorry for her.
"You have apparently been dealt a rather nasty deck of cards. And you are not bitter about it at all," he said. She rose up her hand to gently quiet him.
"Things happen for a reason. It's something I know all too well," she said. "My story is proof."
Then she paused when he took her hand to lightly kiss it, and he smiled at her blush. And it was just his luck that Kiehl had just walked in to see it. She glanced over with shock when Kiehl's anger exploded out. His ghost came out in a blood-red fury, and he snarled with complete rage. Aeon narrowed his eyes and readied to defend himself. He would also defend her, if he had to.
Stop. Now.
"What?!" Kiehl hissed and found himself suddenly weightless. Aeon turned to gape with shock at the Author. He didn't know that the Author held such power here.
Do not fight in the Break Room. I will not allow it.
"Kiehl," she said and stood up to approach him. She put her finger in his leash loop to fully calm him down, and the Author let gravity come back to him. "He was only being polite. He's new here."
"Does he know of…all of us…?" he grunted and got pulled into the heavy kiss she gave him.
"He does. He felt bad for my past. He was going to read up on it," she soothed. She helped him fix his glasses with a small, tickling push up his nose. That got Kiehl to sigh and smile to show he was calmed again by that alone.
"Interesting…" Aeon mused and rose up to regard Kiehl. Sarine freed the loop to let Kiehl have control again. "I can see how she could have mistaken me for you. We are quite similar in looks. Aren't we? If she wasn't claimed, I would have likely seen to her care…"
"You're challenging me?" Kiehl asked dangerously. "I am one of the most powerful monsters you'd ever face."
"Heh. I've beaten countless creatures. Everything bends to the will of time…" Aeon grinned.
"Oh, dear…" Sarine frowned. She looked over to see Alex and Agatha walking in. Aeon looked over and froze in shock at Agatha's pale beauty.
"Oh! A new one?" Agatha smiled.
"Fuck off," Alex grunted at Aeon. That got Kiehl to crack a grin. "Author! Who's he?"
Aeon from the Castlevania game lines. He's a Time Guardian. He found his way here from a distortion in time. As you know, time doesn't really flow correctly here.
"Okay. I can buy that," Alex nodded. "Wait. Do you plan to make a story about him?"
No. If anything, I found his characterization fascinating.
"So, you purposely lured him here?" Alex grinned.
Perhaps.
"So…you brought me here to…study me?" Aeon blinked.
As you are insatiably curious of others around you, I am very much the same with other characters with unique qualities. I felt that you had no place to go, and that you could linger here for as long as you liked. You can benefit me with possible ideas for future plot lines. You can also provide entertainment for other readers. What do you think?
"Well," Aeon thought aloud. "It's not like I have anything else planned. I suppose I can go with it. For now. Until I get bored."
"Sounds like what every other crazy psychopath would do," Alex chuckled. "And I live with a mess of them. Life would be so dull without them!"
"Oh? And how many kids do you have?" Aeon asked.
"Enough to build an entire continent," Alex shrugged. Aeon paused at this.
"And the oldest ones are about two years old by now," Agatha chuckled. "Fully grown, too."
"What?" Aeon asked with disbelief.
"You have some reading to do," Sarine smiled softly.
"Apparently, I do," Aeon agreed. Then he went still at the molten gold-haired beauty that walked in next from the main doors. He actually saw the glowing drop of molten gold on her forehead from within the circlet she wore in Imperius's halo image. The dress she wore of colored spun gold appeared to gently cling and shift with her as she moved in a dazzling, but rather modest way. It also accentuated her feminine assets a bit much, but she never minded it. She paused with curiosity at the sight of Aeon, and then she looked at Kiehl.
"We aren't related," Kiehl smiled and moved to give her a brotherly hug. "How have you been?"
"Not bad," Anaurael beamed and returned the hug. "Imperius is training troops. Tyrael is with the Horadrim. Izarius is assisting with Mal. I came here to pass a bit of time."
"And…who are you?" Aeon asked.
"Oh! How rude of me! I am Anaurael. And yourself?" she smiled and blinked her topaz blue eyes at him in an innocent way. He found himself clearing his throat.
"I am Aeon," he nodded. "So, tell me about yourself."
"Ah…" she seemed to pause. Then he glanced up with shock at Imperius suddenly walking in and resting his hands on her shoulders.
"What business do you require with my ward?" the Archangel growled out.
"He was only asking about me," she smiled at him. He flicked his large, fiery, tendriled wings and gathered her up into his arms. He snorted at Aeon now and moved off a bit.
"What questions?" he muttered to her.
"Just about me," she shrugged.
"Let him ask another," he growled. Kiehl cleared his throat and found himself grinning.
"I can answer questions."
"He wants to get close to you."
"No. He simply wanted to know more about me in general."
"Doubtful."
"Imperius!"
"Trust in me," he said in a soothing way. She sighed and nodded. "If any ask questions about you, then it is not only to get to know you."
"Oh…" she frowned. He moved his massive thumb under her chin in a comforting way.
"I will not lose you," he muttered softly and let her rest against him. "Besides, if he wants to know about you, then he can read what's available here."
"That he can," she chuckled softly.
"Why do I feel like the odd one out?" Aeon sighed and moved to sit by the Author. Kiehl could only chuckle. He could easily tell that there was no female for Aeon.
I could start up a story arc about you. If you wanted it.
"I don't know," he said and thought over everything.
"You could gain a girl of your own," Agatha said and walked over to sit with them.
"You know what? We get readers all the time here. Let's see if any of them have ideas. We'll give it a bit of time," Alex grinned. Then he looked at the sky to anyone reading up. "You all heard me! What do you all think? Let us know!"
"Just like that?" Aeon asked.
"Yep. Now we get to sit and wait. But, you could linger here. It's not that bad. Of course, that's if the Author decides to actually sit down and work with us here…" Alex snickered.
Hey! I have work and bills to pay, thank you very much! I do what I can!
"Yeah, yeah," he grinned. Aeon found himself laughing a bit.
**As the Author goes back to typing and working, Aeon was very skeptical. Would a possible future story arc happen for him? As the others left to go to their own stories, all he could do was idle the time away and see what was in store for him.**
**Aeon was still brooding over things when Alex barged back in. The Author only cringed lightly. It was well known that he wanted a strip club. He was done waiting.**
"Like Hell I am! It's time!" Alex said to the room and glared at the Author.
Very well. I'll set up a room along the northern part next to the kitchen.
**Alex gave a nod and saw the elaborate door appear. When he walked in, he saw several rooms were designated out into private rooms. A general lounge was here with a full bar and plush seats with oak tables. Soft lights to set the mood were installed as hanging crystal chandeliers. Soft music played in the background as a form of piano tunes. Alex seemed to nod at this, and he opened one of the doors to a private room to see a single seat in front of a small stage with a pole featured in the center of it.**
"I like this! It's classy. Not too overwhelming. And, if others that belong to a certain girl need to be here, more chairs will be added, right?" he asked.
Yes. You are right.
"What's this?" Aeon asked when he walked in. He leaned on his weapon and studied the room.
"It's a place for the girls to dance privately for their men. I'll leave it at that," Alex chuckled. He did notice one public pole stage for girls that didn't belong to any men. "And that one may be for Cydaea. Or any others that just want to tease those that don't belong to them."
"Interesting…" Aeon said. He looked over when Agatha walked in to raise a brow at the room. Then she turned to look at Alex.
"Our room is to the left," Alex grunted. He clearly didn't want any others gawking her. At the sight of Cydaea walking in from the Author's sudden typed out invite, she was clearly amused.
"Now…this place looks like fun!" she snickered. Then she turned her burning orbs over to Aeon's casual form. "Oh! I haven't met you yet. I'm Cydaea."
"I'm Aeon. And…you are this…succubus? I kept hearing your name," he said.
"Oh, yes. That would be me!" she grinned a slightly fanged grin from her muzzled face. "So, what exactly is this place for?"
"Male entertainment. You dance on the pole in nice positions for us to stare at. You can tease us this way, and we can't touch," Alex smirked. A rather wicked grin formed on her face now.
"And the other rooms?" she asked.
"For mated pairs, to put it lightly," Agatha smiled. "You know how males can get if their females are stared at for too long by others."
"Tell me about it!" she snorted. She flicked her wings out and sighed. "So, can I start dancing now? I really want to try this out!"
"Go for it," Alex shrugged. He glanced over when Osiris appeared with his sister, Isis.
"Yes. I'm here. Yes, she wants to dance for me," he chuckled.
"In front of us?" Aeon asked with a small smile.
"Can I?" Isis giggled.
"Fuck no," Osiris growled with a form of possession. Isis squeaked when he lifted her up into his arms to carry her to an enclosed room. Aeon appeared unfazed by it all. Even when he saw Cydaea start to twirl and dip on the pole, it didn't really do anything for him. It was when Sarine appeared with Howard, Kiehl, Eremes, Sammy, Doppy, Keltin, Loomin and Muninn that his interest was caught.
"We were told that the party is here," Howard grinned. At a glance at Cydaea waving at him from her upside-down state, he just waved back. He had no interest in looking at other women. Eremes looked over at Aeon and growled lightly before spotting the room destined for them.
"This way…" he muttered to them. Kiehl did give his own mild glare before following the others into the small room. Loomin, however, stayed behind.
"You're different," Loomin said to Aeon.
"I know. I'm new here," he shrugged.
"Okay. A word of advice," Loomin said calmly. "Unless your gaze is greeted with mutual assessment, I would keep your hands to yourself."
"What do you mean?" Aeon frowned.
"You will find out soon," Loomin said and moved into the waiting door. Aeon pondered over his words and turned to see Anaurael being carried in by Imperius.
"Um…are you sure?" she seemed to wince.
"I am the only one seeing you. And, we were given an alternate option. You will try on new gowns for me," he said. He completely ignored Aeon and moved into his destined room with her.
"What's wrong with you?" Cydaea asked Aeon and twirled lightly around the pole. As seductive and curvaceous as she was, she was hardly noticed.
"It's not that you aren't worth watching. I simply don't find you attractive," he shrugged.
"It doesn't bother me any," she seemed to shrug. "Everyone has their own tastes."
"That I do know," he nodded. Alex had already gone into a room with Agatha. He wanted to get down to business with her at long last. It wasn't exactly what he was thinking of, but he was going to get laid. He wasn't complaining about it.
"Aeon," a voice said softly. He turned and blinked at Sarine looking at him. "Follow me."
"For what purpose?" he asked.
"Trust me," she smiled. He cleared his throat and nodded. She led him into the room that held her waiting men. She gestured to a seat near the mid-center of the room. "Sit there."
"Ah…isn't this wrong, though?" he asked.
"Because you felt bad about her past," Kiehl said mildly. "We will make an exception. This once. We have made exceptions before. Just don't touch her. To make it fair, we will not touch her, either, unless she insists on it."
"Right. It's safe for you all," Aeon nodded.
"Don't worry. I know what it's like to be a third wheel. We don't want that," Keltin chuckled. "And, ah, if all goes well, we'll introduce ourselves after."
"Makes sense," Aeon nodded again. He looked over at Ragged Zombie when he walked in.
"Did it start yet?" the zombie asked. Then he saw Aeon, and narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
"An exception by Sarine," Kiehl said in warning. "No touching."
"Okay. I get it," the zombie nodded and moved to sit down. "We need chairs like this!"
"Not after what I'm going to do," Sarine said with a throaty chuckle.
"Is that so?" the zombie grinned.
"Just you wait," she chuckled again. At how she pressed herself against the pole, Howard cleared his throat and sighed with irritation.
"You're sure about no touching?" Howard asked Kiehl.
"Yes," Kiehl muttered out. Sarine blinked her tigers' eye gemstone eyes and seemed to purr as she stretched herself out on the pole. Doppy tensed and cringed when she leaned over to lightly touch his jaw. She whispered softly in his ear, and his eyes widened.
"She…is…not…!" Howard started to panic.
"She's being dominant?!" Kiehl gaped.
"You might want to go…" Eremes warned Aeon. He was already rising up from his seat, but Sarine had bolted in front of him to block the door.
"He stays," she said with a small grin.
"Sarine, what you want to do…" Muninn said. She rose up her hands to quiet them all.
"I have decided," she said softly. Kiehl and Howard were staring at her with complete shock. "Until he gets a female, he will belong to me here. In this area."
"No!" Doppy grounded out.
"I will…belong to you…?" Aeon blinked. He found himself pushed back down into the chair with her in his lap. He actually felt the glares of complete mistrust on him. "I don't know…"
"You took pity on my situation," she murmured softly. "I found it appealing."
"I'm chancing something," Muninn said and found himself able to freeze time. Aeon was immune to this and looked at Muninn with a glare. "Don't fight this. We need to go to the Author."
"Oh…" he thought over that valid reason. Muninn tenderly took Sarine's frozen form to put her in a chair. Then he led Aeon to the Author.
I already know. As I should. If what she wants to do will only be done here, then fine. She always felt bad for the ones left alone. She was the same way. I think it was bound to happen. Aeon does look like Kiehl, after all. So, it can only be done here.
"Well…" Aeon seemed to wince. "I don't think it would be right."
"You'd think it wouldn't be. But, if you want to feel like you earned your place, you could fight us. Do you think that would help?" Muninn asked.
"I could fight all of you. But…hmm. I think I should just fight you and Kiehl. He challenged me first. You control time. Him, it's a battle for honor. As for you, it's to test your powers over time," Aeon said. "If I can defeat you both, then I'll accept her offer for here only."
I will only allow this if time remains frozen. If Alex finds out that his guy's night is ruined by this, you'll be fighting him, too. Let's play it safe this way.
"I can agree to your terms," Aeon nodded. Then the Author thought and tapped on a few keys. Muninn was now frozen. "What's this?!"
I understand you have your ways of ideals, but I want another opinion. Sarine! There you are. Aeon feels that he needs to fight both Muninn and Kiehl in order to feel fully accepted by what you want to do. He also has his own reasons for this, too.
"Is that so?" she frowned as she walked over.
"You brought her here?" Aeon asked.
"They are my husbands. I deserve to know what happens with them," she nodded. "Tell me. Are you considered a human?"
"Me? Not really," he started. Then he found himself silenced by the full kiss she gave him.
"I don't feel anything from you. That's a relief," she smiled.
"Feel?" he managed to breathe out. He was actually a touch shaken by the onslaught of desire.
"Yes. You don't fit with me at all. Not even the merest hint of needing to be at my side in a constant way. This can work here," she said.
"Look," Aeon sighed. "It's not that I…don't want to be with you…"
"I know. You want a female of your own," she smiled.
"Preferably one that is not shared by others," he admitted.
"Then you'll need a story arc of your own," she giggled. He could only sigh at this with agreement. "But…I don't think it would happen right away."
"I would think not, either."
"I am offering you a way to not feel so alone."
"I would feel that way, anyways, if you have to leave."
"That's only assumption."
"And how would you know that?" he seemed to smirk. To his shock, she kissed him again.
"You're not pushing me away. That's how I know," she whispered in his ear. He already found himself tensing at how her hand moved to rest on his sturdy, narrowed chest. "Tell me now. Do you want me to stop this and walk away?"
"This…isn't fair…" he started to pant at how she leaned into him now and run a finger over his mouth to calm him down. His silver-blue eyes met her tigers' eye colored eyes.
"Then push me away…if you think you can. I won't stop you," she whispered. He kissed her in a hungry way instead.
I doubt you can focus on fighting right now. So, Aeon, you have a choice. Do you want to be with her now to clear your mind?
"I…" he tried to talk, but he only ended up deepening the kiss he gave her instead.
"Explain yourself later. Be with me now. Then fight well for me and earn your place," she murmured against his mouth. He was losing his resolve now. He was clearly at his limit.
"I'll…want this again…I…" he started to pant.
"I thought you said that you can control time. Or can't you?" she crooned sweetly. He lifted up his weapon and jammed it into the ground to stand it upright. Then he lifted her up swiftly in his arms to take her to the vacant bedroom. The Author chuckles and types away silently.
**It was some time later that he reappeared with her. He led her back over to his sword to pull it from where it was embedded in the ground to lean on. He tilted her face to his to kiss her passionately before letting his gloved hand drop back to his side. He had come to a very intense decision.**
"That I have," he sighed with agreement to the room. "I will not fight anyone. I can make time stop, if I must. She has agreed to be with me then."
"It's much like how Eremes was with me at first. And since it's done here, he really has no scent to leave on me. The others won't know," she smiled.
I still think you should fight the two of them. You'll have to fight them all if you are discovered. You do know this, right?
"True," Aeon seemed to grimace. He now realized that time came back for Muninn to move around again, and Muninn was now realizing that Sarine was with them.
"Sarine? Why do you look so flustered? Wait…" Muninn paused and now turned to glare at Aeon. Then he looked at the Author. "Why did you let them?!"
You know how Sarine is. Don't you?
"I…" he started and cringed. She moved to his side to have him gaze into her eyes.
"You let Eremes be with me in the same manner."
"It was different then!"
"And you did the same thing when I was with you, too."
"Huginn forced his hand in that! I just…"
"Do you need to fight Aeon now?" she asked gently.
"I must. And so does Kiehl. But, we will wait until this event is over. I'm sure that we all have more control over our emotions now."
"That we do," Aeon nodded.
**The Author nodded to them and watched them move back into the room they needed to be in. Once they were in position, time came back for Sarine to finish off her dance. The Author continues to type away, and was quite sure that this event was far from over to, most likely, continue into the next chapter.**