Reuniting with Bwen and Cass

Ray proved to be amicable enough. He had the good grace, in Venus' mind at least, to look embarrassed at what he had been saying during Venus' healing. Venus decided not to comment on the humor of a goatman looking sheepish. Ray, despite how he had annoyed her by accident, had clearly been through quite a bit over the past couple of days. He had bemoaned the loss of his wine and cheeses, presumably having been long devoured by the trolls alongside other, less appetizing meals. Other than that however, he quickly took stock of his situation and listened to Venus' hurried explanation. He even provided her with a nice soft cloth she was able to mostly clean herself up with. She could tell he was still aroused though.

If Pans are anything like normal men... those are some potent mushrooms. Too bad they kill you, in the right situation that could be quite fun.

She dismissed the thought quickly, annoyed to be distracted by something so base when they were presumably still in danger.

A short time later, they very carefully made their way into and through the woods to the meeting place with Bwen and Cass, whom they heard well before seeing.

"All I'm saying, Cass, is you could be a little more grateful!"

"Oh fuck off Bwen! You're not the one who took a club to the knee!"

"That troll looked like he wanted to give you a lot more than a club to worry about!"

"Oh? Noticed that did you? Jeal-"

Both quickly went quiet as Venus and Ray made their presence known. Cass was sitting on a stump tenderly examining what Venus assumed to be an injured knee.

Venus piped up. "Um... are we sure it's wise to be that loud at the moment."

Cass just huffed and pointed.

Not too far off were two troll corpses, littered with arrows and puncture wounds.

"You two killed those things?"

"What would you have done? Served them tea?" Cass asked, still annoyed, though Venus didn't think with her.

Venus crept softly in the bodies direction examining them for movement.

Troll. Deceased. Would you like to loot 'Troll?'

Venus gasped softly in surprise at the pop up. God these things are startling.

Bwen had his sword up again in an instant. "What? Still alive?"

"No. Sorry, just... startled myself." Venus replied.

Back to her interface she thought at it Yes.

To her surprise it worked. Good to know I don't actually need to talk at the damn thing.

Troll pheromone obtained.

She did the same looking at the second Troll corpse. Troll Pelt obtained.

Venus was again startled. Seeing one of the Trolls had been magically skinned. She worried she might get sick. She hoped none of the others came back to look at the dead, no one seemed eager to do so though.

"So... onto Monet's grove then? I'd rather not sleep in the woods." Venus said, after walking back closer to them. Ray nodded in agreement, clearly preferring to be anywhere but where they were.

Cass groaned. "I don't know if I can walk. That furry fuck hit me pretty good. Legs already swelling."

Venus sighed. She didn't feel fully recovered from... helping... Ray already. Wish I knew how much mana I've recovered.

At the thought a thin translucent blue meter appeared toward the bottom of her vision. It was around two thirds full.

Wait? Really? Health, Stamina. She thought forcefully thinking of the other attributes she had seen in the descriptions of her abilities.

Two more bars appeared, translucent and out of the way.

Goddamn... IS this a game? It feels so real, and everyone's so reactive. What other explanation is there though?

Pushing her curiosity aside she focused on the issues at hand.

Sighing once more she looked at Cass. "I can probably help with that... if you're willing."

Cass narrowed her eyes a little suspiciously. "What would you need to do? Ea-"

Venus cut her off. "Just kiss you some. Don't need a miracle here, just to get you mobile again."

Bwen decided to catch Ray up. "Venus is kind of a unique healer. She-"

"I know," Ray interjected "She cured me by-" The words died in his throat at a malevolent glare from Venus. He coughed "She explained."

Bwen and Cass glanced between the interaction with undisguised curiosity.

Cass reluctantly agreed to Venus' help and Venus found herself making out with Cass in the middle of the woods while two men tried awkwardly not to pay too close of attention. They failed.