Brief introspection

That Abby had joined Jess at Mich’s side was immediately noticed and chatter followed them as they walked to get drinks. As sodas were sourced one of the men setting up the grills called Mich over. The age old ritual of men cooking meat over open flame was invoked. Abby and Jess shared a smile and a silent conversation. Abby shifted over and nodded taking up guard duty freeing up Jess to look for her candidates, and Mich’s.

Abby felt a warmth growing inside as she escorted Mich over to the other men. She traded smiles and nods with the Amazons standing with there men. Most were women she had at least met in passing and a few had been juniors in the combat team.

It was so nice to see these women with their men. While not sure to be life long partners the odds were good. While older and a chaperone she still was able to fall into the general conversation. She had been working at a gym as a trainer and instructor near the school. This had helped her stay current with what was happening.

She felt the warmth from Mich. It had been so hard to wait. When she had been cast out in the cold he had shown up. Even with Jess soaking up his mana like a sponge there had been so much left over that she had started soaking it up. He had no idea the effect he had. She was now filling up with warmth and it felt so good. She could feel her matrix filling up from him, and still there was more.

Mich watched his peers over the grill. Relationships that had been building and simmering for the last several years were now solidifying. Or in a few cases being rejected. He couldn’t help but notice several of the “mean girls” groups were suddenly finding themselves alone. He had to shake his head at that. Some people were so sure in there value they just assumed everyone else agreed with them.

He was talking with his friends about the concern of the moment. Women, who was taken? Who was looking for what? In fairness the conversation was not that different from the last two years. It was a well-established fact that the formation of a strong family was a make or break for so many men. A man was the central pillar of his family. His wives would provide strength and warmth, the substance of the home. It was the man who was the keystone, the glue that held things together. He couldn’t stand alone in this world and he was the core of the family. A man’s mana shared among his wives would strengthen and bolster their matrixes.

Mich shook himself as one of his friends bumped his shoulder. He had been mentally rambling again. He quickly refocused on the meat and veggie kabobs he was responsible for.