Get some R&R.

As the next day proceeds, you take it slow and easy. A lot has happened lately, so you'd rather take a breather before instantly jumping into further chaos. Summer continues to cook, occasionally with the help of Amara as she insists, though once in awhile you're burdened with the curse of having an obsessive, airheaded bee as your head cook, and this morning has been no exception. You've had cinnamon on toast before, but never with so much honey on top that the bread underneath practically disintegrated from being so soggy.

The most difficult part behind the scenes has been establishing a chain of supply. You have some goods coming in and going out, though hardly any merchants are willing to traverse the mountains to meet with a Demon King, whether it be that they're afraid of you, or because they're afraid of being thrown into the dungeon. So far though, things are good. The builders have finished as much as they could do. Now there are many simple homes build along the curving cobblestone paths lit by magic lanterns. Your craftsmen have shops as well as homes, and everyone currently has a place to stay. Castle Phoenix isn't just a hideout for the exiled anymore. It's a community.

You notice a beautiful woman with flesh like compact leaves humming to herself as she walks between the buildings up ahead. It's Peony of course. She's carrying a metal watering can decorated to look like an elephant, and she leans over to sprinkle water from its trunk over the flowers growing around the base of the home beside her. There's something different about her, however. Upon closer inspection, her colours have subtly changed. While she's normally a bright, lush shade of green with leaf-like hair, she's turning orange along with the change of the season.

That's right. We met sometime in summer, so she matched the plants of that time. Now that it's fall, she's changing just like all the trees and everything are.

"How's it going?" you ask kindly as you approach.

Peony turns, but drops her watering can in surprise. While she can't seem to blush, you can tell she's embarrassed by the mistake. "Oops. Sorry... You startled me," she says before lifting it back up.

"I didn't mean to. Are you all right?"

She nods. Then she turns her head bashfully as she brings a hand back through her leafy hair. "I am. Thank you." Then she smiles. "It's good to see you, m'lord."

She's acting differently. Usually she's all warm and affectionate and pretty bold with what she does or says, but now she actually seems a bit shy. "Thanks for making this castle so beautiful. I like your change in appearance too. I don't really know much about dryads, so I had no idea you transitioned with the season."

"You like it?" She places her hands on her cheeks. "If I had a heart, it would be racing. You're so sweet to me." Then after staring for a moment, she places the can back down, wanders over, and then pushes her head up against your chest. Her arms wrap around to hug you tight.

You place your hands around her as well. "Are you sure you're good?"

She nods. Then she peers her eyes up to face you with a smile. "I'm very good, because I'm being held close by my love."

"This is so sweet," comes another voice from behind. It's deeper--more powerful, commanding. Naturally, it's none other than Mistress Dajy the high succubus. "Though I can't help but wonder how things would progress, being with a woman that has no pussy."

"No what?" Peony asks.

"I didn't mean to interrupt, but of course I need to come say hello to my little Kyle if I see him."

The gorgeous temptress is garbed in a brand new outfit today. It's jet-black and cuts short at her thighs, though between the collar and her stomach it looks more like her slingshot bikini. What are effectively two wide, flat straps come down from the top part to barely conceal her massive breasts before leading down to the bottom. The entire thing is trimmed with silver, and when you look closely, you can see tiny symbols etched along the edges. The whole thing is gorgeous, albeit incredibly skimpy, but you'd expect nothing else.

"Lovely new dress," you comment. You're still holding Peony close.

Dajy slides her fingers sensually down her hourglass figure. "Mmm. You think so? That Luna girl has magic fingers. Though I wish she'd let me measure her up. Did you know that her kin have incredibly sensitive bodies?"

I definitely do know that, yes. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone knew that after the beach since she was there too, though I feel like the experience was such a blur to everyone but me that they hardly remember anything at all. Either that or they're too embarrassed to think about it. "There are definitely all sorts of interesting people here, from moths to goblins."

"It's like an all-you-can-eat buffet, right? Is that what you're thinking?"

"You know what I was thinking recently. How is Catherine? The vampire, not the queen... though I wonder about her too. It is weird to think about how you have a powerful vampire locked up in your house. Like, is she part of Castle Phoenix? Do I consider her an ally now?"

"That depends. If you had a pet dog, would you consider it a resident?"

"Brutal."

Dajy chuckles. "She did try to kill you, did she not? And she didn't have the excuse of being under someone's control. I thought you'd be happy one of your enemies has been so thoroughly punished. Little Catty has certainly been broken by now. She's my toy, and a fun one at that."

It is kinda hot having such a powerful woman dominate another powerful woman into being subservient, but I can't help but feel a little guilty that it's still going on. I might be a Demon King to a lot of people, but that doesn't mean I'm actually evil. Though, Catherine was pretty evil, so does that make this good? I'll worry about this another time I guess.

Peony finally lets go before lifting back up her watering can. Thanks to her efforts as well as others, there are now trees everywhere. She can basically go anywhere she wants, inside or outside the walls. You're not sure if her range would extend to the interior of the castle, however, but it's more freedom than she's had since before she trapped herself in that single tree back when you first met her.

A wispy figure appears in the sky above. While it would look a lot more unsettling during the night, a ghostly mist moves down towards your group. Meladarai Tlarthanil, the banshee, has no colour to her visage as a floating soul, but she's still a lovely elven woman with short hair, glasses, and a flowing dress leading to a spectral tail that trails off behind her as she moves. "Hello, everyone," she greets politely.

"Oh, hey Mela. How long have you been up there?" you ask.

"I was waiting for a moment so that I did not interrupt conversation." She curtsies, though it looks odd given her body, or lack thereof . "I think it is wonderful how many different individuals you have given refuge, Mr. Warren. I wish to study them all, though convincing them has still been difficult. After being patient enough with me, I was finally able to at least begin my scholarly pursuit of learning as much as I can about them."

"That's great to hear," you reply.

"Oh. I apologize... I am saying this because I am thanking you. For everything."

"Really, it's no problem."

"Hopefully me offering everything I learn will be payment enough."

"And someday, we'll figure out how to get you a body."

"Oh no, no. Please do not rush to satisfy my selfish dream."

"Well, if you want to offer payment with knowledge, can you tell me more about dryads?"

Mela turns and eyes over the autumn-kissed woman staring back at her curiously. "Ah. I see. Ms. Peony has been changing for the season, yes? I imagine you are confused if that is your request. Naturally, I will teach you all that I know! The sharing of knowledge is important, so please listen."