"You two keep busy for a while..."

4th Amansdae, the 30th day of the month of Semens (Sem), the 3672nd year of Salvation's Landing

Having cleaned up, changed into personal attire, and gotten something to eat, Reglin made his way into the library. There was a nervous energy in him, not knowing just what to expect of this upcoming evening. The library was quiet, as was usual. Not many people preferred it as a haunt besides himself and Asha these days. Though it might become a livelier hangout if they were to have more impromptu dances in Tabitha’s apartments.

Speaking of his childhood crush turned lover, Reglin didn’t see her in the library proper. Once again, not surprising. To her office then. The tall guard walked casually toward the office, his mind spinning out a number of possibilities for the night. Starting in the office was an easy enough to imagine scenario.

But once Reglin entered the office, he was greeted by slightly more than he was expecting. Yelena sat in a chair on the same side of the desk as Tabitha, allowing the two women to talk in close proximity to one another. But what caught his eye was the sight of Oliyah sitting not too far off from the two blondes. And her eyes were peering directly at his right as he crossed the threshold. It was a bit unsettling, but he could not work out what was behind those eyes. They were just… intense. And of course, her needlework was ever-present on her lap.

Noticing his arrival, Tabitha’s face turned to face him with a soft smile. This brought Yelena to look at him a second later, her own smile seeming far more energetic. The Magistricia spoke, “Ah, Reglin. Good to see you, my dear… I was just telling Yelena those fables we spoke of a bit ago. About the rulers that were gifted with a strange artifact…”

That caused his brows to climb into his hairline for a moment before he could catch himself, those he wasn’t sure if his eyes were still not showing the whites all around, “Ahh… that story. Wha-”

“Yes! I had never heard it before! Quite a remarkable tale thus far!” The tiny Princess was a bundle of energy. “She was speaking of how she thought the artifact of theirs might have worked. Very interesting and I must say, the theory sounds quite believable to even a lay person such as myself.”

Reglin chuckled at that, but Tabitha spoke before he could make comment, “I do not think you can count yourself as a lay person, Princess.” The Royal Advisor’s words mirrored his own thoughts. Tabby then looked at him again, “I had not told her the whole story yet, but I think we should…”

Not terribly subtle. But Oliyah too? That was more than Reglin had been expecting. He trusted Tabby wholeheartedly and she was incredibly intelligent. But she was not infallible. He couldn’t help but look over at Yelena’s handmaiden who looked back at him with slightly narrowed eyes. When their eyes met, hers opened wider momentarily. Had he given himself away? She was cursed or blessed to read streams of mana at all time. Reluctantly, he spoke just one work. A very hesitant sounding, “Oookaaay…”

Tabitha rose from her seat and walked to him, placing a hand on his cheek while looking up at him. A gesture that was far more familiar, far more intimate than Reglin thought she would give away to those not in the know. She had divulged some of their relationship already. She then spoke in a warm tone, “It will be fine, love… But perhaps an aid will help with the rest of the story?” She quirked a brow at him to punctuate her request.

Glancing at Oliyah during the display of affection, Reglin saw a look of what looked like disbelief in the handmaiden’s eyes. Shock was obvious to any who looked at her. Reglin disregarded that for the moment. Tabitha wanted the Affection Artifact. The scroll that supposedly on he could use. This moment had only happened once before with Asha and he thought the acids in his stomach would burn through him. Now he was going to reveal to TWO women at once that he had access to some powerful relic that contorted people around him. It scared him tremendously because, although he had never had any intention of using it dishonestly, he was certain that people would bristle to say the least about being swayed in such a way.

Giving a small nod to Tabitha, Reglin then reached behind him to the pouch that he held the scroll case in, along with his key to roof access. While he began, Tabitha turned back to face the other two women, “I had heard these fables over my life, and they had nestled into my mind. There was a commonality amongst all the ruler tales. They were all known to be resolute in spirit. Never flagging in doing what they thought was right. Until some sort of folly befell them. Through my years I had researched it. More as a pet project of sorts. But when I came across a person of a similar sort of character trait, it sparked a more intense need within me…”

Reglin now held the scroll case in his hand but kept it out of sight for the moment. Both other women only had eyes for Tabitha at this moment, so enraptured they were. The Princess looked like a child at story time, and Oliyah’s face shown with interest in a way that Reglin found incredibly endearing for the usually dour woman.

Yelena couldn’t restrain herself, “Was the person my father? I would not say he is so irrepressible, but perhaps he was in a time I cannot recall. And did you find more?”

Both Reglin and Tabitha smiled and chuckled at the slip of a woman. Giving a few slow nods, the Arcanist continued, “I did find more, yes… But it was not your father. This was much more recent than that. As far as what I found?” She raised a hand, as if to show off Reglin himself.

The Princess and the handmaiden both looked at him skeptically, but Reglin took his cue and showed the ornate scroll case to the two. The skepticism still showed on their faces. Giving a small shrug, Reglin began opening it, “She did not just find more stories, she found the source of it all…” Pulling out the vellum scroll, the immense guardsman held it out for the two to see.

The two women stepped closer and looked at the blank vellum, incredulity coming more apparent. Oliyah huffed out a snort, but Yelena spoke, “I assume you know it is absent of any kind of markings?” She looked at him as though it was a joke, but one she didn’t find terribly amusing.

“Yes, yes… Come here, all three of you.” Tabitha said in an exasperated tone and waved them over to her desk. She herself had stood up and backed away. “Reglin, love, take the chair. Princess, Oliyah, I want you two to look over his shoulders. You will see…”

The woman sounded confident enough. And true, Reglin knew it would work, but that small nagging feeling still held him. That he was a something rather than a someone. Something that was made to do accomplish some task for someone else. He stifled the thoughts for the time being and took the seat. “We’ve learned a few things about this relic… I will show you where I read by the tip of my forefinger. Observe…”

At that, Reglin opened the scroll flat on the desktop and did what he said he would do. Reading the text that appeared before him. The sharp inhalations of both women behind him told the guard that they witnessed those words as well. What he read wasn’t terribly important. Just for them to know that it worked. He stopped reading and offered it to Princess Yelena, sliding it over in her direction, “You may try if you like…”

The Princess’s intrigued face peered at the scroll with such intensity that Reglin thought she might burn a hole through it if she could. After half a minute or so, the shook her head in resignation. “I see nothing… So, is this some trick?” The doubt had returned, and she looked between Reglin and back toward Tabitha.

It was Tabitha’s turned to snort derisively, “Come now Princess… Do you really think this is a thing the two of us would do to you? To both of you?” She shook her head sadly, “I had thought that you knew us better than that, Yelena…”

Suitably chastised, both Yelena and Oliyah’s faces had turned a little sullen at the remarks. They both chose to stay silent. So Reglin decided to offer more of what it did. He explained how the streams of mana came to him and how he could manifest them into powers. He told them of some of the ones he had activated bringing looks of wonder over their faces.

“So you are not going through some sort of late blooming growth spurt after all?” Yelena said smugly after hearing of ‘Vigorous Body’ and its upgrade. Though she did look at him with a look that made him feel naked.

He covered for himself well though, “Am I not? I would say that I am… Is it really unnatural if this is something I was destined to do or something?” His look went from both the Princess and the handmaiden. Neither of them dismissed the notion outright. “Listen… I do not know what I am besides what Tabitha has called me. Some sort of ‘Governor’… But what does that mean? I have not an inkling as of yet. But I feel as if it is meant for something… bigger, whatever that means.”

Tabitha spoke then, “He gains more potent with the affection, love, and lust of others… We literally empower him through our emotions…” She approached the seated guardsman and placed a hand atop his head before sliding it down to gently stroke his cheek, “Yet, he would have none of those emotions from us if he were not so willing to put his own emotions out to us. I’ve come to believe that is much more of a circular current than a linear one.”

Yelena looked as if she were puzzling things out, “If this was a Kings’ gift, does that mean that he might be destined for something of that sort? And if he is, does that not put him at direct odds with my father?” That line of logic was troubling the petite Princess.

With Reglin not jumping to answer right away, Tabitha responded instead, “If you were to ask me, I think that this scroll was meant for something different than ruling. Perhaps that is why all those that wielded it before failed…” She shrugged slightly, “I think it for something more… grand than that.”

That was intriguing to all others present. Reglin could not recall this logic pattern from his lover. Turning his head, he quirked a brow at her, “Oh? Grander than a Kingdom? That sounds a bit far-fetched if you ask me…” He chuckled at that, “Gods, a Kingdom sounds asinine to me!” shaking his head.

Another shrug from Tabitha, “This is all speculation on my part from the bits I have read on the subject. But we will have time for more discussions later. Right now, I have to ask you to do something for me Reglin. I need you to go and see Shonda. She will be expecting you… And if you happen upon Asha, please let her know that I will be providing lessons for the next few hours. Say, until the third smallbell?”

As if cued, Yelena turned to her handmaiden, “Li, would you like to accompany Master Reglin? Perhaps have a little more time to set your mind at ease with all this… Insanity? I say that because I feel that I should feel that way. Yet, I do not oddly. But besides that, I have some subjects I would like to ask the Magistricia about.”

Reglin had a hard time not laughing. The Princess had very little need for circumspection or deception in her life, so this offering of it came across as ham-fisted.

Oliyah did not even try to refrain from laughing, giving a sharp ‘Hah!’ before nodding with a knowing smile, “Of course, Princess… Maybe I will accompany the big oaf and ask a few questions…” She then turned to look at Reglin, “Shall we let these two go ahead with whatever lesson Tabitha has in store for our little Princess?”

That made the color in both Tabitha and Yelena’s cheeks, making Reglin smile a bit wider. He chose to leave it at that though. He stood up and offered his arm in escort to Oliyah, “Of course, Mistress… It is an honor that you deem my errands worthy of your presence.” He was laying it on thick with that one and was rewarded with laughs from Yelena and Tabitha and a snooty snort from the handmaiden.

Shaking her head with humor, Oliyah rolled her eyes and took the proffered arm, “I suppose… You really are some sort of strange creation, aren’t you?” She squinted at him, “An odd one, you are…”

Not able to dispute that assessment of himself, he looked at Tabitha, “Would you like me to lock up as we leave?” The glint in his eye was obvious from the blush that bloomed on the cheeks of the two remaining women. When Tabitha nodded, that was all he needed, “Okay then Oliyah, let us be about it then.” And the two stepped off and out.

It was just after the first smallbell when they stepped out into the halls of the palace. Reglin released Oliyah from his arm while he turned and locked up the library. He had been given a parchment he secured to the message pin stating that the Magistricia was indisposed with Royal lessons. When he turned back around to Oliyah, she held that skeptical look that had become commonplace for her.

Her face slid into one of mild astonishment then as she shook her head once more, “It’s real, isn’t it… All of it.” She stepped closer so she could speak softly, “You love the Magistricia. And… she loves you. It burns intensely with the two of you in so close of proximity. And then I see your love for Yelena, though less radiant. Yet it is growing still…”

Reglin had to remind himself that this woman saw things on a wholly different level than most. It made him take a deep breath and collect himself, closing his eyes. He took thirty seconds or so to contemplate his emotional stand before opening his eyes, seeing the world as he thought that Oliyah saw it. “Sorry… I have to remember how you see things and it reminded me that I could do so as well, if you see things the same way as I do… Tendrils of colors in their myriad flowing out from each person?”

Smiling softly at him, Oliyah gave a slight nod, “Close enough of a description I suppose. Not an easy thing to put to words.” She squinted at him, then her eyes bulged momentarily. Snickering quietly, Reglin saw another tendril of blue slither its way out of Oliyah’s aura and make its way to him until it joined the cluster that was already present, thickening it. It was not nearly the size of Tabitha’s, or Asha’s, or even Yelena’s, but it was nice to see it growing still.

He grinned at her and said quietly, “Thank you… Each of those means a great deal to me. I hope you know that.” Forgetting himself to protocol, he reached out and touched her hand, fingers to fingers.

The brunette handmaiden’s response was something that Reglin cherished inside. She lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushing with some embarrassment, but her fingers grasped his in a squeeze. Reglin saw another blue strand make its way toward him, along with a green… followed by a very **** looking scarlet tendril. If he didn’t know better, he would have thought that the mana took on the characteristics of the owner. But he had been taught nothing of the sort. Something to ask Tabitha another time…

When her eyes rose to his once more, they were glassy with unfallen tears. Reglin must not have hidden his shock very well, given that Oliyah gave another soft smile and squeeze of his hand. “How do you do it? How can you care for someone so deeply and still have the capacity to give even more of yourself? I… I can barely offer anything of me to anyone. It is like trying to open a beartrap sprung around my own leg…”

Trying to show a sympathetic and supportive smile, Reglin squeezed back, “We all come from different backgrounds, Oliyah. You have experienced things I cannot understand. And my own experiences are alien enough to you. But I can care about what you experienced and how it came to mold you into the person you are this day…” He towered over her but tried not to loom as he took another half step closer.

Lowering her gaze once more, Reglin heard her give a small sniff, “You see, just like that…” Oliyah’s voice quavered with emotion and Reglin saw another blue finger of mana come out of her shell. “You say these things with no reservation at all. Do you know what it would take for me to say something like that? Regardless of how I might feel?”

The immense level of vulnerability the usual taciturn woman was showing really showed her in a new light. Reglin could not help but want to protect her. She really wasn’t THAT ordinary, was she? With his other hand, he cupped her chin and raised her eyes to his. And he was struck. Those big brown eyes filled with unspent tears hit his soul. Whatever it was he was going to say got lost. For an indeterminable amount of time he just looked into those eyes, unable to pull away. It wasn’t until Oliyah gave a nervous laugh and pulled away did he snap out of it. The only thing he could muster was a weak, “… Sorry…”

Her laughed gained in strength then, “Sorry? What are you sorry for? Do you… Do you know how many times I-I… I had wanted someone to look at me… To see me just how you did?” She looked about the halls to see if they were still away from possibly listening ears. “I should be apologizing to you…” She said within less volume. She looked up at him and gathered herself. Her voice was strengthened once more, “Enough of that for now. You have the seamstress to see.” She added more softly, “You are unknowingly throwing rocks at a dam, I think. I don’t want to overwhelm either of us just this moment. I have things to think about, that’s for certain. Come…” Reglin nodded and offered his arm once more.

Making their way to the main entrance hall, the two of them had been speaking of inanities trying to lighten the mood. That was when they were alerted to a bustling coming from the stairs. Turning to look, Reglin was greeted by the equivalent of thunderstorm in Princess Katya coming down the stairs and right in his direction.

Both Oliyah and Reglin responded quickly, offering the proper bow and curtsey to the uncharacteristically disheveled looking Princess. “Good evening to you, Princess Katya.” Reglin intoned. He had not seen her about in some time and wasn’t exactly sure why.

The Princess was in a red lounging gown that showed an immodest amount of breastflesh, but she had a shawl that she used to pull over as she slowed down on her approach. The fury in her face changed to a furious bemusement. “And what are you two doing together? Nothing untoward, I hope… Though I would expect no less from the likes of both of you.” The venom in her voice was hard not to notice besides the word choice in themselves.

Coaching the emotion in him was easy enough, knowing that it wouldn’t affect him long. Instead he chose to look at the Princess. Her aura roiled with colors of what the guard thought was anger, embarrassment, envy, and even hatred. The poor woman, Reglin thought and was surprised by the notion. Instead he responded to her inquiry, “You sister wished for some private tutelage from the Magistricia. So that left the two of us without anything to do, so we were just walking about… I-I hope everything is well, Princess.” He wasn’t sure why he said that last sentence. But he meant it.

Katya’s response was guarded, her nose rising as she squinted a glared at Reglin. But then he saw a surprisingly strong exhalation as she then lowered her eyes. In a moment she murmured, “I-I am fine… Now… Out of my way!” With that she had raised her head and was surging forward out to the palace entrance. Two of her handmaidens, Caterine and Erynna had caught up to her, but were now nervously chasing her once more out of the palace.

Oliyah looked at Reglin with a befuddled look, “That was extremely odd…” Reglin could only offer a weak nod, his mind set in motion at puzzling out what might have caused that. “She was absolutely seething!” the handmaiden hissed quietly, “Yet, beneath all that hostility, I saw even that raging bitch gravitate toward you. Such an oddity…” He offered his arm once more and the two of them resumed their walk to Shonda’s apartments.

Arriving at the seamstress’s rooms, Reglin tried the door and it opened quietly. Opening it all the way for Oliyah to enter, the guardsman followed in after and saw Shonda’s back to them. As the approached further inward, Reglin could hear the seamstress talking quietly, but the willowy older woman barred who it was from his view.

“Oh fah, my dear! You have beautiful breasts. Not terribly large, but absolutely lovely in their shape. A dress in that cut would look marvelous!” Reglin heard Shonda say as he and Oliyah advanced inward further. Rather than allow the woman and her client further awkwardness, the tall man gave a clearing of his throat.

The seamstress turned at the noise with an alarmed expression, “Oh gods! Forgive my vulgarities, please! All of you! Please” She looked between all three of the others in the room with a mortified expression.

Reglin raised his hands palms toward in a placating manner, “Mistress Shonda, do not be embarrassed on my account. Remember, I was a soldier. I cannot answer for-” his eyes finally fell on the seamstress’s client and saw his apple, dressed in a magnificent gown of burgundy. It was outside of Polivandrian norms, as it showed off her modest bosom’s cleavage. She might not think much of her lovely little tits herself, but Reglin had absolutely no complaints about them. The slightness of them and the somewhat narrowness of her shoulders lent to his lover looking a little more ample on her lower half, but Reglin loved it. He loved her hips, that luscious ass, and her thickish thighs. And that was something this dress did well. There were no petticoats, so it clung to her hips and showed the flaring so enticingly. The big man was gobsmacked.

Asha’s face blushed so beautifully and lowered her eyes in a timid, yet inviting way, that Reglin was stunned all over again. But the chestnut color haired woman reacted then to appease Shonda and her feeling of humiliation, “Mistress Shonda, please do calm down. Master Reglin and I know each other. We are friendly. I am not offended. So, as long as Mistress Oliyah is not bothered by a little bawdy banter, you have no reason to be ashamed.”

Oliyah, still on Reglin’s arm was looking back and forth between Reglin and Asha quizzically before realizing that she was being mentioned, “What? Oh, I didn’t even hear anything truthfully. No harm done to my delicate sensibilities…” She said with more than a little sarcasm dripping from her words.

The seamstress still looked as though she were going to have kittens, but she took a deep breath in an effort to calm herself. “Well… Well, if you all say so, I will make no more of it. I thank you all for such understanding.” She looked at Reglin then, “I have been expecting you, Master Reglin.”

Smiling at Shonda, Reglin showed his ignorance, “I will admit that I was just told to come here by Magistricia Tabitha. I fear that I do not know as to the why of it. But now that I see her new assistant is here, I have a guess…”

Shonda returned his pleasant smiling with her own beaming. The woman looked incredibly elegant with her long limbs. In that way, he was reminded of Lady Vidala. Both had a natural grace to their movements. But the older auburn-haired seamstress did have a bit of a flighty way about her. Like a hummingbird. Graceful, yet frenetic. “Oh, the Magistricia put in a rather large commission with me. A full ten gowns for Mistress Asha here… And an equal number of ensembles for yourself. Since I already have your measurements, you are here to decide on colors and styles.”

Reglin’s head rocked back at that, “Really? Uhhh… Well, that’s… unexpected.” He looked over at Oliyah and smiled, “Well, I know you offered to accompany me, but you do not have to stay for all of this. You are more than welcome to stay if you’d like. Perhaps with yourself, Mistress Asha, and Mistress Shonda I may be able to not make myself look a fool more than I normally do.”

The small smile on Oliyah’s face was a welcome sight to see. And a little more common in its occurrence. Looking up at him with a dubious look, “I don’t know if there is any help that we can provide in that. I fear that comes far too natural for you. I’m afraid that would be like asking a bear to dance.” The insult earned hearty laughs from Reglin and Asha, while Shonda tittered as though it were a scandalous thing.

“That does remind me, Master Reglin. Think on what two colors you would prefer over all others… Oh, and perhaps think on an animal or legend that you most identify with.” The seamstress blurted out, earning another puzzled look from the guard.

“O-Okay… I will do so.” He responded hesitantly, “Will you need them tonight?” He just wasn’t sure what to make of all this.

The seamstress waved it away, “No, not at all. But within a couple of days would be good. And we will make note of your favorite style of attire you pick out this evening…” She looked between Asha and Oliyah, “If you ladies are willing to offer assistance for the poor man here, I wouldn’t mind.” Both Asha and Oliyah wore wide smiles and agreed to do so. “Good! But we will finish up with Mistress Asha. She’s been here a bit, so we are getting close to done… I’m afraid you overheard that I was trying to convince this lovely little thing to step outside the standard fare here and push those boundaries. Just in the last few days I have been getting more and more requests to do just that for various women in this palace. Some would surprise you all.” Shonda smiled a wicked grin.

Reglin had to laugh at that, knowing that this very well could be his own doing with his ‘Shaping Culture’ gift. But He played it off as a response to Shonda’s words, “Yes, let’s get this one out of her comfort zone then!” He gave Asha his own wicked grin that she in returned with a dubious smile.

With that, the four of them set in for a few hours of indoctrinating Reglin into the world of fashion, through means of an inordinate amount of colored fabrics and almost as many styles of garb…

A/N: This is my first ask for input. I am looking for some ideas in regards to Reglin's soon-to-be House colors and sigil. I have ideas, but I wouldn't mind other input in this. It won't show up for a bit still, so not a huge rush. Thanks! -Eff

~This is knowledge for the Reader~

The Affection Multiplier

~Mana: 580 (+43) 623~

~Mana Channels: ~Labiae Passionii (Lips of Passion) free, ~ Corpu Vigorii (Vigorous Body) 100, ~ Uirtau Proelium (Martial Prowess) 100, ~Mensu Lucidae (Bright Mind) 100, ~ Tactu Beatae (Blissful Touch) 100, ~Plurem Amatrixae Normalii (The Normalcy of Many Loves) 500, ~Corpu Libidaem (Lustful Body) 100, ~Corpu Spectabilum (Intimidating Body) 100, ~Mentulae Potencii (Potent Cock) 150, ~Limbu Infinitum (Endless Loins) 100, ~Voluptae Gustatum (Delightful Flavor, Gratify the Appetite), ~Figurae Cultura (Shaping Culture), ~Vulgum Venerae (The Love of the Masses), ~Corpu Vigorii Magii (A More Vigorous Body) 400

~Lovers~ A: 200 E: 200 L: 200
~Tabitha~ Affectionae: 100 Erosii: 100 Libidae: 100 (Effective 69)
~Asha~ A: 100 E: 100 L: 100 (Effective 65)

~Royal Polivander House~ A: 74 (+2) 76 E: 43 (+6) 49 L: 80 (+3) 83
~Princess Katya~ A: -52 (+2) -50
~Princess Yelena~ A: 100 E: 43 (+6) 49 L: 80 (+3) 83
~Princess Cirsha~ A: 18

~Nobles~ A: 125 E: 12 L: 88

~Royal and Noble maidens~ A: 196 (+15) E: 8 (+2) 10 L: 124 (+7) 131
~Maiden Caterina~ A: 18 (+2) 20 E: 1 L: 2 (+2) 4
~Maiden Gwynfuir~ A: 15
~Maiden Erynna~ A: 5 (+1) 6
~Maiden Oliyah~ A: 29 (+12) 41 E: 0 (+2) 2 L: 19 (+5) 24
~Maiden Iridia~ A: 4
~Maiden Freighla~ A: 76 E: 7 L: 67
~Maiden Deela~ A: 16 L: 2
~Maid Camilla~ A: 30 L: 34

~Day watch~ A: 249 E: 3

~Evening watch~ A: 22

~Night watch~ A: 6

~Palace Staff~ A: 64 (+6) 70 L: 6 (+2)
~Lina~ A: 48 L: 6
~Govren~ A: 7
~Shonda~ A: 5 (+6) 11 L: 0 (+2) 2