Chapter 7

I looked Arwick up when I got back. "Got some intel for you, hun."

"Yes?"

"You know that blue ghost girl that supposedly led Dorian Walker to Nexus?"

"I have heard rumors of her, yes."

"Her name's Drusera." I said matter of factly. "And she's really, really shy."

"And just how in the hell do you know that?"

"She told me."

He stared at me like he was wondering if he should call for the medics.

"You're telling me that the most mysterious rumor on Nexus just casually told you her name?"

"Not casually, no. But I asked and she answered, and for the record she says she's only named after the Eldan goddess."

"I see."

"Yeah, so maybe you could do me a favor and get me all the info collected on her? Like I said, she's really really shy, but if I know what to ask her, maybe I can help find some answers. For instance, she said the Eldan didn't just vanish, they were destroyed."

"By what?"

"She wouldn't say specifically, but I would guess that an experiment went really wrong."

Arwick rubbed his eyes. "Valya, just how does stuff like this keep happening to you?"

"Like I know? Dumb bunny luck I guess."

"I am going to have to tell Myala and probably the entire Exile council you know."

"Well yeah, but do me a favor and stop trying to find her. She spooks easy."

He sighed. "I can make the suggestion, but people are going to ask questions."

"Come on, Arwick, it's your favorite bunny asking for help here."

"I will do what I can. But you know this is gonna get complicated."

I gave him big bunny eyes.

"Why are you so determined about this?"

"Cuz Drusera is harmless. She's just a sweet, cute, and scared hologram." I sighed. "And… she asked me to save her." I admitted in a small voice.

"Save her? From what?"

"Him."

"And who is "Him?'"

"What destroyed the Eldan."

Arwick closed his eyes. "By all that is holy, Val." He reached for his communicator. "You stay right there." He said to me as he activated the comm. "Myala, I need you to call an emergency session of the council."

"What's going on?"

"I just discovered that the Eldan didn't vanish. They were wiped out, and whatever did it is still here."

"Oh dear."

"Yes. This world wasn't abandoned by choice, we need to put the council on full alert."

"I agree."

"We're also going to need to let them know that we'll need to look for clues as to where this menace is hiding. We haven't run across it yet, but I don't doubt it's out there."

"Of course, Hunny. I'll get on it right away."

Drusera appeared above Arwick, wringing her hands. She looked at me anxiously.

"He… is contained. For now. But I don't know for how long."

Yeah, Arwick didn't react at all. I really was the only one who could see or hear her.

"Arwick, she says he's contained for now but can't tell me for how long."

"Huh?"

I looked at Drusera. "Can't you let him see you, hun? I promise, he's safe. I trust him."

She ducked behind my shoulder cautiously and peeked over it. Arwick's eyes widened. Then he stood and bowed.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Drusera."

She blinked at him and nodded, half ducking behind me.

"Like I said, she spooks easy. It's probably best to let me play intermediary."

"Understood." He furrowed his brow. "I am sure there will be those who want to interrogate her, but I will run interference for you both."

"Thank you."

"She is too precious a source of intel to risk losing. I shall appoint you as her sole contact."

"Again, thank you. She's way too innocent to deal with a military interrogator. They would terrify her."

He gave me a long look. "Alright Val. I'll leave her to you. And I appreciate that you actually reported to me properly."

"This was too important to keep to myself."

"I'm glad you recognized that. Just, please be careful dear. I can see you went and made her a promise you might not be able to keep, but I'll do all I can to support you. Don't go charging into danger alone this time, please?"

"I'll- I'll try."

"Good. Because you can't bear my child if you die, and that would break Myala's heart."

I gave a weak chuckle.

"Well, I have a council to prepare for, why don't you go spend some time getting to know your new friend?"

I gave him a cockeyed grin. He'd obviously seen right through me.

Drusera did a little swirl around me as I stood and gave Arwick a salute. Then I startled her by reaching out to clasp her hand. She looked shocked, but her light density grew more tangible as I gently tugged towards the door. She maintained that tangibility all the way to my room. I half felt like I was leading a balloon.

"I… did not know I could do this." Drusera said in wonderment.

"What, be adorable? Because you're really good at that."

"This form… is merely a projection. I did not know I could give it substance."

"Does that mean you have a physical form somewhere?"

Drusera looked sad. "I… do."

"I hope I can see you in the flesh one day then."

"That… would not be… safe."

"Why not?"

"Because… I am not alone."

Her voice trembled with dread.

She was not alone. She wanted to be free. She was not safe to meet physically.

I sighed. "You are His jailer aren't you?"

"I… am."

"And so long as he remains, you cannot be free." I said with certainty.

Her silence told me everything.

"You've been holding him back this whole time, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Did the Eldan make you just to be His jailer?"

"No. I-I was… I was made to be a… creator."

"But something went wrong."

"Yes."

My hands clenched hard enough to drive my claws into my palms.

"So, you were made to bring life?"

"That was my purpose."

"And he stole that from you." It was all I could do not to growl those words.

"I… was imperfect." The sadness in her voice made me want to cry.

"No. You were not the failure, The Eldan were. Whatever happened was due to their error." I reached out to cup her face. "Listen to me Drusera, you are not at fault."

"But I was not strong enough."

"You've held Him back for a thousand years. There is no way you aren't strong enough."

She stared into my eyes as I wished desperately for her to solidify enough for me to kiss her.

And gradually her skin lost its glow, and I could feel the warmth of her cheeks against my palms. She was still blue, and her eyes still glowed, but I could feel the heat in her cheeks as she responded to my desire.

"You. Are. Not. A. Mistake. Drusera." I said firmly as I drew her face down and kissed her firmly.

As I drew back, she blinked several times as her hand went to her lips. "I-I felt that." She whispered.

"Yup."

"I- I am… physical?"

"Yup."

"How?"

"I wanted you to be. I think you always could be. You're a creator. You responded to my wishes and created yourself. You've been getting more solid as I held your hand"

"But I- I am still imprisoned."

I shrugged. "Yeah, maybe this is just a surrogate body. A more sophisticated projection. But it's real enough for me."

"It is… strange to be in two places at once."

"Stranger than projecting yourself as a hologram?"

"My hologram form… does not feel sensation."

"And this form can?"

"Yes."

"Wonderful, that means I can do this…" I leaned forward and nuzzled her neck softly.

She shivered uncontrollably and gasped.

"I- I don't… What is this sensation?"

"Most people call it pleasure."

"This… is pleasure?"

"I certainly hope so. That's what I was trying for anyway."

"I- I think I found it so."

"Great." I took her hands, "Then come with me, let me show you other sensations you might like."

I giggled as she floated up. Apparently, she really didn't know how to walk. I led her through the door and to the garden outside Myala's tent. Drusera took in the scent and the riot of colors and smiled in pure joy.

"This… this is what I have always desired to create, what he has always corrupted." She floated from flower to flower like a large bee, reveling in the fragrances.

"I understand that all too well, Drusera. Once Arboria was all like this. The Dominion stole it from us."

"They are like the Entity?"

"Yes. They too were created by the Eldan, and all they do is take and destroy."

She looked sad.

"I promise, Drusera. We will find a way for you to be free, to give you back your ability to create."

"The Entity is so strong. The Eldan tried to destroy him and were destroyed themselves."

"I don't care. I've lost my tree, my village, my world, even my fortune. I won't lose you."

"Why would you go so far?

"Because… I saw your smile."

She had no clue what to say, she just gently bobbed there staring at me.

"So strange." She finally said softly.

"I've never claimed to be anything else."

"You are a mystery."

"That makes two of us."

"You are utterly illogical."

"Logic is overrated."

"The Eldan would hate you."

"Yeah, well I am not feeling very charitable towards them either."

"You know so little, how can you be so wise?"

"The Eldan knew so much, how could they be such fools?" I waved my hands at the world around us. "All their knowledge, all their technology, and yet they destroyed this world. The only thing I have ever seen from them that they got right is you! And they judged you a failure!"

"But I was not what they intended."

"No, you were so much more! They wanted a tool. A machine who would do their bidding. But you aren't a machine. You are a lifebringer! They could never accept you because all they knew was death and destruction."

She stared at me, trembling.

"You want proof?"

Her breath caught "You can prove it?"

I nodded. "Look around you, Drusera."

She blinked, then turned to see what I meant.

The garden that just moments ago had been a small, tame yard full of flowers was a riot of plantlife. The plants were all several times larger and healthier. Vines curled around every fence post. And everywhere, there were flowers.

"You were pumping out so much Primal life energy, even I could feel it." I chuckled. "I hope you're ready to meet Myala, cuz I suspect she'll be here any second."

The sound of ripping cloth proved me correct as Myala tore open the door to her tent. She looked around wildly and then saw me and Drusera in the garden and her eyes got big. She blinked several times, then raised her hands to rub her eyes. Then she opened them again and stared. "Um… Val?"

"Yes Myala, she's floating. It's completely normal."

"Ooooookay?"

"This is Drusera. She's probably what you felt just now."

"Val… What I felt was dozens of times more powerful than the Mother tree!"

"Well, yeah, she was leaking kinda bad." I shrugged, "I suppose I kinda had her a little flustered."

I looked over at Drusera, who appeared to have lost enough composure that she'd gone hologram again and had her hands clasped in front of her chest like she was afraid she was going to get yelled at. "It's okay, hun. I promise Myala's incredibly nice. I mean you were watching the other night, you gotta know how sweet she is?"

Drusera's cheeks glowed bright blue. "I- I would not know, I did not taste her nectar."

"I can fix that."

"Val!"

"What? I keep telling you that you have the tastiest flower on Arboria. Your nectar is incredibly sweet!"

"You don't have to publicize it!"

"But I really think Drusera would enjoy getting a taste. Just look at how cute she is!"

"Are you insane!"

"What? You like threesomes!"

"I- I do not understand. Are- are you suggesting we copulate?"

"More having fun sex than copulation. Women can't actually make babies together- erk!" Myala's tail wrapped around my throat.

"Val, honey. Are you trying to pervert this poor innocent girl?"

I nodded furiously.

Myala facepalmed. "Holy Mother tree, Valya…" she shook her head then faced Drusera. "I'm so sorry she's like this. Even for an Aurin, she's a bit obsessed with sex."

"I do not understand."

"Well, compared to most species, we Aurin are rather free about our sexuality. Val is a rather extreme example. I believe she wants to get you into bed and have fun with you and thinks I might help her."

"Would this constitute 'pleasure'?"

"I believe so. Val is quite talented in giving girls orgasms."

"And do you desire this?"

"Well… I wouldn't be averse to it, no. You are quite beautiful, and given Val's behavior, I have no doubt that she is quite smitten with you."

"Then she is… courting me?"

"I believe so, yes."

"Is she not your consort?"

Myala laughed. "More or less."

"The archives I have read about mating would indicate that most higher life forms tend to exclusivity."

"The humans and others tend that way, yes. We Aurin are a bit truer to our nature though. Monogamy is more the exception than the rule with us. Besides, Val is a close friend, and I think this is the first time I've seen her so determined about anyone. If she's actually falling for you, then I am absolutely gonna support her."

"Then I should accept her courtship?" Drusera sounded utterly mystified, but her glow was fading as she gradually grew more solid, though traces of circuit-like patterns accented her skin and dress that flickered rapidly as she thought.

"That is entirely up to you, dear. But if I am being honest, I would be overjoyed if you could finally tame my darling wild bunny."

"Tame her?"

"Poor Val has been my lover for almost my entire reign, but denied consort status because of her lack of sensitivity to the weave. I cherish her dearly, but I've never seen her actually fall in love before. I would never want to lose her, but I also want to see her experience true love for the first time. So, if you can accept that she is also part of my harem, then feel free to love her as much as you desire."

"I- I can have desires?" She had fully returned to solidity, her circuits racing faster than ever.

Myala's tail was keeping me from speaking, but I didn't mind. Let her be amused. She didn't really know what Drusera was. She didn't know she was talking to a veritable goddess. To her, Drusera was just a girl she had just met who I was crushing on, and my darling Queen was doing her best to make one of her favorite subjects happy. How can you not love her for that? I might not be in love with her, but that didn't mean I didn't love her at all. She was still the closest thing to family I had. Mom had accepted my being her pet years ago. So now that she had passed away, Myala was all I had left.

And, well, Yaenna, Arwick and the other consorts.

And now… maybe… Drusera.

Drusera floated down to kneel in front of me and met my eye level.

"V- val?"

I wanted to cry for joy. It was the first time she'd ever actually called my name.

"I-I have waited a thousand years for you. Everything within me has longed for your coming. I-is this what is called desire?"

"Don't you dare screw this up, Valya." Myala whispered as her tail unwrapped from my throat.

I reached out to grasp Drusera's hands. "I don't know. I would think so, but I'm not you. Only you can decide if you desire me."

"I- I can decide?"

"You aren't just a tool for the Eldan, Drusera. You are you. Only you get to decide who you are and what you will be. I can help, I can advise, but I will not ever command you. You are your own person. Your real body may be in prison for now, but your mind is free. And love isn't something you can feel on demand. It is something that grows and blooms like a flower. All you can do is plant the seed, and care for it until it bursts forth in vibrant color." "Love is a flower?"

"Yes. And you are a Goddess of creation. You can make all the flowers you like."

She released one of my hands and raised it to stare at her palm. Motes of blue light gathered into the form of a holographic rose. Then the light grew more solid until a single long stem rose floated in the air above her hand.

Drusera stared at it in wonder.

"It- it is not corrupted."

"No, it is beautiful."

"Always before, he has corrupted all I tried to create."

"That doesn't matter. He doesn't matter. Only you matter." I reached out to take the rose. It was a complete small bush with only the single stem. I used my claws to dig into the rich loam of the garden and created a hole to plant it in. The moment the roots touched the earth, they suddenly dug in and began absorbing nutrients. By the time I had fully planted it, the stem had sprouted leaves, and the bud had fully opened into a gorgeous bloom.

Drusera was watching it, absolutely stunned. "It- it grows."

Myala knelt and touched the petals of the rose. "It does. And it is joyful in it's creation."

"It-it is joyful?"

"Yes, I can hear it sing."

Drusera gently touched the petals too. "It truly does." Her hand went to her eyes. "Why are my eyes leaking at this feeling."

Myala's eyes were bright too. "I believe you are feeling joy as well."

"I- I have never felt this way before."

"Then I can do nothing but feel thankful that you have gotten to experience it." She turned to me. "Val, you better not break her heart. She's not just a playtoy like me."

"I know, Myala. She is far far more than that."

Myala stared into my eyes for a long moment. Then she gave me a soft smile. "So, you've finally opened your heart. This will be new for you as well. Please remember, I'll always be here for you."

"I know Myala. I'm still your bunny."

"Of course you are. And I'll always treasure you. And if she desires, I'll be overjoyed to welcome her into our family. I don't even think the elders would object. At heart, this girl is more Aurin than Aurin."

I giggled. "I know. Why do you think I like her?"

Drusera blinked. "I… am Aurin?"

Myala giggled. "You understand why we love nature so intensely. The very weave itself sings in your presence. In every way that matters, you are Aurin. And I welcome you."

She embraced Drusera enthusiastically, and though she looked startled, Drusera stayed physical. Then she slowly reached up and drew down her hood to reveal her Eldan features and hairless head. "You- you do not think I look odd?"

"Nope. I think you look gorgeous." I said immediately. "You are truly beautiful, Drusera."

"But I do not look Aurin."

Myala grinned. "That's easy enough to fix." She turned and ducked into her tent for a moment before emerging with a bunny eared headband I recognized all too well.

With great ceremony she placed the band on Drusera's head. "By the power vested in me as the Aurin Queen, I hereby grant you the right to call yourself Aurin, and citizenship among us. I'll have Arwick get you an I.D. card."

Drusera reached up to touch her fake ears. "T- thank you?"

Myala beamed. "You are more than welcome. Like Val said, you really are beautiful." Her ears twitched playfully. "And you look even better in those ears than I do."

Drusera took off the band to look at it. "These are like Val's."

"Yup. Myala got em to dress up like me."

Drusera looked at them intensely for several minutes, then holographic ears appeared on her head and quickly solidified into a copy of my ears. Then she lifted her hood and holes appeared for her ears to stick through. She turned to me. "How- how do I look."

I grinned. "Perfect."

She probably could have made herself completely Aurin, but I was glad she'd chosen to simply give herself bunny ears. I didn't want her to deny her origins as an Eldan creation. But it was proof that she was starting to realize that she could move beyond it. And the fact that she had chosen to copy my ears made me happy. It linked us together as much as a ring could. And I had to admit she really looked good in her robes. Whoever had designed them had done an excellent job of combining innocence and sexy.

Arwick came out of the tent and smiled at us. "Hello again Lady Drusera. I am afraid that I need Myala for official business."

He'd probably been listening in from inside the tent. I figured Myala had probably run right out of the comm call setting up the council meeting. He was utterly unsurprised by Drusera's solidity so I was sure he'd been watching the whole thing. He can be so damn competent it's aggravating.

Myala nodded and turned to Drusera. "I'm sorry that I must go, but it's been wonderful to meet you. Please feel free to talk to me anytime you'd like some advice or if Val confuses you. She's a wonderful bunny, but can be so very bad at some things."

Drusera nodded. "Thank you."