Lux wanders through the settlement

Lux’s limbs feel they’re made of lead as she makes her way from the citadel and out into the surrounding settlement. The eerie light of those eternally blazing torches is replaced with the permanent un-sunlit glow of the sky, the fitful flickering of scattered lanterns and cookfires. Somehow, a sense of twilight has descended as the balance of the Valley shifts.

From up ahead, she hears raised voices, angry shouts. Several fleeing figures appear from within the settlement – satyrs, some moving painfully, having perhaps just escaped from a well-deserved beating. As they vanish into the woods, other sounds filter through the air: moans, groans, squeals, gasps, exultations to the gods.

She sees several villagers moving about, some looking dazed, some excited, some terrified. Few take the time to even glance her way, and none acknowledge her particularly. Perhaps she could explain to them what’s happening, but she’s not sure they’d believe her, given the circumstance. And besides, she’s tired.

A little bit away from the main buildings, she notices two figures who have found a spot to themselves. A tall satyr, darkly tanned, sits on a blanket draped over an old, wide tree stump. The curly brown hair that frames his strikingly handsome face is in constrast to the stark white of his goat-like legs. His powerful arms encircle a slim, blond-haired human man seated in his lap. Both, naturally, are naked; breathing hard, perspiration beading on their skin, the smaller man’s body trembling slightly as he is held.

Lux tenses – does she need to intervene here? But everything about the human’s movements – the way he relaxes in the bigger satyr’s arms, his lips moving as he whispers unheard encouragements – tells her that this one, at least, is not an unwilling participant.

The pair look over at her, seeming to sense her eyes on them. The satyr flashes her a disarming smile and gives a little wave. The younger man regards her shyly, warily, with the air of one caught out; he turns his body inward to huddle closer to his taller partner.

“It-it’s all right,” Lux stammers, trying to reassure him – who is she to tell him that? The man still looks uncertain, but relaxes as the satyr pats his shoulder before beckoning Lux over.

Lux hesitates, biting her lip. Amid the rising echoes of passion from lovers elsewhere in the settlement, she can’t deny feeling the urge to join in. The sight of their strong bodies, the tenderness between them, the promise of the same for her – but surely, she can’t…

“Relax,” Minn whispers in her ear. “Join the party. You’ve earned this.”

This is what you’ve wanted from the beginning, you little creep, Lux fumes. But…maybe, now, it is what she wants too. She takes a faltering step forward before she catches herself and stops.

Fey charms. Fey manipulations. On their best day, this is still part of what the fey are. Every mortal culture warns against going unprepared into the enchanted wood, for good reason. And even taking that out of the picture, Lux reflects, she’s still a lone, half-dressed woman approaching two naked men, about to put herself in their hands…

Even in her hesitation, though, Lux knows she is losing herself; losing control. She wants, needs, both of those beautiful men inside her. One after the other, or both at once.

It would feel so nice to give in. Everything’s safe now, isn’t it? Enjoy the moment.

It’s safe…