Return, rest, and readiness

As the magic flare fades, you feel the ground seem to rumble beneath your feet, and you stumble. You’re back in the forest outside Thalberg, and the force of your arrival flattens small trees around the clearing. You look around to see that everyone made it safely, and as you do a wave of lethargy washes over you. In your mind, Lilith seems to yawn.

Might have overdone it against that brute. I did warn you.

You nod, dropping to one knee. Beside you, Ferra rests a hand on your shoulder. “Are you ok, master?”

You nod. “I’ll be fine. Used a lot of energy in that fight is all. We’ll need to find a better way to deal with him next time.”

Alex huffs, crossing her arms. “Next time I’ll make SURE he’s gone. We were just in a hurry!”

Samus, meanwhile, is standing over the two unconscious bodies, chanting under his breath. Kaeli stands nearby, watching with obvious concern. Melora, ever empathetic, stands beside her and takes her hand, seemingly surprising the technomage. After a moment, she relaxes, leaning against the seer and accepting the comfort. After a few moments, Nadia joins them, and Kaeli seems almost overwhelmed by the support from the two women.

Cassie goes around and checks everyone for wounds, healing the minor nicks and bruises that were sustained. Sarah busies herself with setting up the supplies you brought for camp, anticipating that you will be here for a while. You lever yourself to your feet and go to help her, along with Ferra. Alex, seemingly allergic to any kind of work as always, simply bounces around chatting to anyone who will listen, mostly bragging about how useful her new powers are. At the least, her boundless energy and upbeat tone puts smiles on everyone’s faces.

As you work, you keep an eye on whatever Samus is doing. Eventually, he stands, nodding for you to come over. When you do, everyone else does as well, and you gather around to hear what’s happening.

Samus looks at you with a tired expression. “I have placed a stasis spell over them. With Victoria, it should hold indefinitely. On my father, however, it will barely last a day. And even then, it won’t stop him awakening himself. So we need to attempt a cure of him as soon as we can.”

You nod. “I need to rest, I used a lot of energy fighting Cairus.”

The demigod sighs. “I must rest as well. We will begin in the morning.”

You look around at the girls. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s finish setting up, and get some rest. And no funny business, we need our energy.”

Alex pouts. “No funny business? But why?!”

Yeah, how else do you expect ME to recharge? I think I’ve earned a little treat!

You chuckle and roll your eyes. “Ok, fine, maybe a little fooling around, but we can’t have a wild night, we need to rest.”

Alex pouts again, and then her eyes light up. Bouncing over to Ferra, she whispers in the golem’s ear. Ferra listens, and then nods, turning to you.

“Master. Alex wishes to spend the night with me, as we do not expend energy in the way the rest of you do. Would this be allowed?”

You chuckle. “Yes, of course. Just don’t keep anyone else up.”

You glance over to see Melora and Nadia talking quietly with Kaeli, clearly making similar plans. You would guess that the technomage wants a distraction from her worries, and the pair of empathetic, almost matronly women are a good choice for that. You smile to see Kaeli fitting in so well with the rest of the family.

As you turn away from them, you find Cassie and Sarah approaching you. You note that Cassie is blushing, quite the sight on the chameleon girl, her whole body shifting to shades of pink. Beside her, Sarah grins, the hellhound clearly enjoying Cassie’s embarrassment. It’s Sarah who speaks first.

“So…our little chameleon girl here has a question for you, Nicholas.”

You look at Cassie curiously. “Oh really?”

Somehow, she blushes even more. “Well…I want to ask to spend tonight with you, but…it’s special.”

You smile at her. “How so? Of course you can, but what’s so much more special?”

She bites her lip. “So you know how we heard about the change in Alex? How she can…you know…”

Sarah laughs. “She can have kids.”

Cassie nods. “Well…I’ve kinda wanted that for a while, but it wasn’t a good time to ask.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Are you asking me to get you pregnant tonight?”

Cassie simply nods, looking extremely nervous.

Yes! Im in, let’s do this! Knock up the cute chameleon girl. Think how cute the kids will be!

Ignoring Lilith, you look to Sarah. “And what’s your role in this?”

The hellhound grins. “Moral support. Plus, I wanna watch. It’ll be hot!”

I like how she thinks!

You chuckle, looking back to Cassie. After thinking for a moment, you touch her cheek, and she looks at you with wide, hopeful eyes.

“Are you sure you want this, Cassie?”

She leans against your hand, smiling. “Very much. I’ve wanted it for a long time.”

You lean down and gently kiss her. “Then I agree.”

Cassie gasps, her colors flashing yellow and pink, and she leaps into your arms, hugging you tightly. “Yes! Thank you!”

Sarah laughs, leaning in to whisper to you.